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When the Benfica manager came at Newcastle's stadium and complimented Eddie Howe and his players, home supporters feared a tough game. But those fears vanished thanks to a goal from the winger and two more from replacement Harvey Barnes, ensuring Benfica's coach did not inflict any trouble for Newcastle.

Game Flow and Initial Exchanges

Mourinho had forecast that the home side would be extremely aggressive, but his Benfica players displayed their similar aggressive style. Benfica certainly delighted in disrupting Newcastle's initial efforts to establish a smooth passing tempo.

Adding to Newcastle's challenges, key players, Tonali and the Brazilian, started on the bench as they were convalescing from illness and injury respectively.

Prior to the start, the two managers exchanged a brief, cool embrace, and it quickly became clear that the Benfica coach had told his team to subdue the crowd by slowing the game and reducing the intensity at every chance.

Key Events and Turning Points

Benfica's strategy produced varied outcomes, but when Gordon and the Newcastle attack managed to break through the backline, they initially found it hard to create good opportunities.

Moreover, Benfica's Belgian winger Lukebakio nearly showed how to finish when, after beating the defender behind, he forced Nick Pope with a powerful strike that got an excellent single-hand stop. It's no surprise the goalkeeper still hopes for an England recall in time for the global tournament.

Yet when Lukebakio hit another attempt off the woodwork, the home side roused themselves. Murphy shot wide, and Anatoliy Trubin made an excellent close-range stop from Bruno Guimaraes before Anthony Gordon finally broke the deadlock.

Gordon's blazing speed had created consternation for Mourinho all night, and he calmly side-footed the opener past the goalkeeper after Murphy's quick ball into the box proved effective.

On the occasion the Magpies' intense, high press was not anticipated by the opposition, Murphy, preferred over the expensive signing, was there to pass a low cross across the goal for Gordon to polish off.

Second Half and Decisive Changes

From the beginning, the Portuguese team could not be accused of defending deeply and seeking a point, but now their side pushed forward with real abandon. Lukebakio repeatedly showed an ability to unsettle Howe's defense, and the Magpies were likely grateful to reset at half-time.

The first half concluded with the keeper once more rescuing his team by tipping Lukebakio's shot wide of the goal frame, and as the sides came out for the second half, everything seemed evenly balanced.

If Anthony Gordon, evidently boosted by scoring his fourth strike in three Champions League games this campaign, played with the zeal of a wide player aiming to alter the balance in Newcastle's favor, the Benfica attacker had different plans.

Mourinho's No 11 had already shown that, while Burn is a capable centre-back, he is not a natural left-back, and Newcastle hearts were nervous every time he moved forward.

The Newcastle manager might have felt easier had Miley, deputising for Tonali, not directed a set-piece over the crossbar from a well-placed position. Instead, this thrilling contest continued to move from end to end, persuading Newcastle's manager to bring on Joelinton and Barnes in place of Ramsey and Jacob Murphy.

The Benfica boss, at the same time, brought on an additional forward in Franjo Ivanovic. It would arguably prove a risk that backfired.

Barnes Wins the Game

Before that, Benfica, and especially their Portuguese defender Silva, had done a fine job in limiting Woltemade's space and pushing Newcastle's German striker back. However, with right-back Dedic substituted, the backline was weakened, and the way was open for Barnes to prove that Gordon is not the manager's only attacking wide player.

The home side's double substitution was already proving effective by the time the goalkeeper dispatched a wonderful throw in Barnes's path. When Silva, for once, misjudged the flight, Barnes was clear, accelerating into the area before keeping commendable poise to lash a sublime shot past the keeper.

After Harvey Barnes slid a shot through poor the goalkeeper's legs after receiving Anthony Gordon's stellar through ball, it was finished. The Benfica manager had warned that the Magpies have several very fast wingers, and three goals from two wingers had destroyed his hopes of earning the team's first European points of the campaign.