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When the Benfica manager arrived at Newcastle's stadium and complimented Newcastle's coach and his squad, home supporters were concerned about a difficult match. But such fears disappeared thanks to a goal from the winger and two more from substitute the forward, making sure Benfica's coach did not inflict pain for Newcastle.

Match Dynamics and Early Exchanges

The Benfica boss had predicted that Newcastle would be very physical, but his own team showed their own aggressive style. The visitors clearly enjoyed breaking up the Magpies' initial attempts to establish a fluent attacking rhythm.

Adding to the home team's issues, key players, Tonali and Joelinton, began on the bench as they were recovering from sickness and injury respectively.

Prior to kick-off, the two managers shared a perfunctory, cool greeting, and it quickly became apparent that the Benfica coach had told his team to quiet the crowd by slowing the game and reducing the intensity at every chance.

Critical Moments and Decisive Actions

The visitors' tactic produced mixed outcomes, but when Anthony Gordon and his teammates managed to dismantle the defensive barricades, they initially struggled to create clear opportunities.

Moreover, the Belgian attacker Lukebakio almost demonstrated how to finish when, after leaving the defender behind, he tested Newcastle's keeper with a tremendous strike that required an terrific one-handed save. It's no surprise Pope retains hope for an England return in time for the World Cup.

But when the winger directed a further attempt off the woodwork, Newcastle roused themselves. Murphy shot wide, and Anatoliy Trubin made an impressive close-range stop from Guimaraes before Gordon at last broke the deadlock.

The England winger's scorching speed had caused consternation for the Benfica coach all evening, and he calmly side-footed the first goal past the goalkeeper after his teammate's quick ball into the area proved effective.

When Newcastle's intense, high press was not second-guessed by Benfica, Murphy, chosen over the expensive signing, was there to pass a ground cross across the goal for the winger to finish.

Second Half and Match-Winning Changes

From the beginning, the Portuguese team could not be blamed of parking the bus and seeking a point, but now their players pushed forward with real freedom. Lukebakio repeatedly showed an skill to unsettle Howe's defense, and the home team were likely relieved to reset at the break.

The first half ended with Pope once more rescuing his side by tipping the attacker's shot wide of the goal frame, and as the sides came out for the next period, everything seemed finely poised.

If Gordon, evidently boosted by netting his fourth goal in three Champions League appearances this campaign, played with the determination of a wide player set to shift the balance in Newcastle's favor, the Benfica attacker had other plans.

Mourinho's winger had already shown that, while Burn is a fine centre-back, he is not a natural left-back, and home fans were in mouths every time he moved forward.

Howe might have relaxed had Lewis Miley, deputising for Tonali, not directed a set-piece over the crossbar from a well-placed position. Rather, this thrilling game continued to move from end to end, prompting the coach to introduce Joelinton and Harvey Barnes in place of Jacob Ramsey and Jacob Murphy.

The Benfica boss, at the same time, threw on an additional striker in Franjo Ivanovic. This would arguably prove a risk that backfired.

Barnes Seals the Game

Until then, the away team, and in particular their Portuguese back Silva, had performed a fine job in restricting Nick Woltemade's space and forcing the German centre-forward back. But now, with right-back Amar Dedic off, the backline was underpowered, and the path was open for Barnes to show that Gordon is not the manager's only attacking winger.

The home side's double substitution was already paying off by the time Pope sent a wonderful throw in the substitute's direction. When Antonio Silva, for once, misjudged the flight, the winger was clear, accelerating into the penalty box before maintaining impressive poise to fire a superb shot past Trubin.

When Harvey Barnes rolled a shot through poor the goalkeeper's legs after meeting Anthony Gordon's excellent pass, it was all over. Mourinho had warned that the Magpies have four quick wingers, and three goals from two wingers had destroyed his chances of earning Benfica's first Champions League result of the season.