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When the Benfica manager arrived at Newcastle's stadium and praised Eddie Howe and his players, local fans feared a difficult match. But those worries disappeared thanks to a strike from Anthony Gordon and two more from replacement Harvey Barnes, ensuring Benfica's coach did not inflict pain for Howe's team.

Game Dynamics and Initial Action

Mourinho had predicted that Newcastle would be very physical, but his Benfica players displayed their similar aggressive approach. The visitors clearly enjoyed disrupting Newcastle's early attempts to establish a smooth passing tempo.

Compounding Newcastle's challenges, key players, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton, started as substitutes as they continued convalescing from illness and injury each.

Before the start, the coaches exchanged a brief, reserved embrace, and it quickly became apparent that the Benfica coach had instructed his team to subdue the crowd by delaying Newcastle and lowering the intensity at every chance.

Critical Events and Turning Points

Benfica's strategy yielded varied results, but when Anthony Gordon and his teammates managed to break through the defensive barricades, they at first found it hard to generate good chances.

Moreover, the Belgium winger Dodi Lukebakio nearly showed scoring skill when, after leaving the defender behind, he forced Newcastle's keeper with a tremendous shot that got an excellent one-handed stop. No wonder Pope retains hope for an England recall in time for the World Cup.

But when the winger hit a further shot off the woodwork, Newcastle roused themselves. Murphy shot wide, and Benfica's keeper made an excellent near-post save from Bruno Guimaraes before Gordon finally broke the deadlock.

Gordon's scorching speed had caused problems for Mourinho all night, and he neatly slotted the opener past the goalkeeper after his teammate's early cross into the box proved effective.

When the Magpies' hard, high press was not anticipated by the opposition, Murphy, chosen over £55m Anthony Elanga, was there to pass a low cross across the face of goal for Gordon to polish off.

Second Half and Match-Winning Changes

From the beginning, Benfica could not be blamed of defending deeply and playing for a draw, but now Mourinho's players attacked with real abandon. The winger consistently showed an skill to unsettle Newcastle's back four, and the home team were likely grateful to reset at half-time.

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

While Gordon, evidently boosted by scoring his fourth goal in three European games this campaign, played with the determination of a winger set to shift the balance in Newcastle's favor, the Benfica attacker had different ideas.

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

Howe might have felt easier had Lewis Miley, filling in for Sandro Tonali, not headed a corner over the bar from a well-placed spot. Rather, this absorbing contest continued to swing from end to end, persuading the manager to introduce Joelinton and Harvey Barnes in place of Jacob Ramsey and Murphy.

Mourinho, meanwhile, brought on an extra striker in Franjo Ivanovic. It would perhaps prove a risk too far.

Barnes Wins the Match

Before that, Benfica, and especially their Portuguese defender Antonio Silva, had done a fine job in restricting Woltemade's room and pushing Newcastle's Germany striker deep. But now, with defender Amar Dedic substituted, the defense was weakened, and the way was open for Harvey Barnes to prove that Gordon is not the manager's only goal-scoring winger.

The home side's double substitution was already proving effective by the time Pope dispatched a wonderful long throw in Barnes's direction. When Antonio Silva, for once, misread the flight, the winger was clear, sprinting into the penalty box before keeping impressive poise to lash a superb shot past the keeper.

When Barnes rolled a shot through unfortunate Trubin's feet after meeting Gordon's stellar through ball, it was all over. The Benfica manager had cautioned that Newcastle have several quick wingers, and a trio of strikes from two wide men had shattered his chances of earning Benfica's first Champions League result of the campaign.