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As the Benfica manager arrived at St James' Park and complimented Eddie Howe and his players, local supporters were concerned about a tough game. But such worries disappeared thanks to a goal from Anthony Gordon and a brace from replacement Harvey Barnes, ensuring Benfica's coach did not inflict pain for Newcastle.

Match Flow and Initial Action

The Benfica boss had forecast that Newcastle would be very physical, but his Benfica players showed their similar combative approach. The visitors clearly delighted in breaking up Newcastle's early attempts to establish a smooth attacking rhythm.

Compounding the home team's challenges, two players, Tonali and Joelinton, started as substitutes as they were recovering from sickness and a knock each.

Before kick-off, the coaches shared a perfunctory, cool greeting, and it quickly became clear that Mourinho had told his side to subdue the crowd by slowing the game and reducing the temperature whenever possible.

Critical Events and Turning Points

Benfica's strategy produced mixed outcomes, but when Anthony Gordon and the Newcastle attack succeeded to break through Benfica's defensive barricades, they at first found it hard to generate good chances.

Additionally, the Belgian winger Lukebakio almost showed how to finish when, after leaving the defender behind, he forced Newcastle's keeper with a tremendous strike that got an terrific single-hand save. It's no surprise the goalkeeper still hopes for an national team recall in time for the World Cup.

But when the winger directed a further shot against the woodwork, Newcastle woke up. Jacob Murphy shot wide, and Benfica's keeper made an excellent near-post stop from Guimaraes before Gordon at last broke the scoreless tie.

Gordon's blazing pace had caused problems for the Benfica coach all night, and he neatly slotted the first goal past Trubin after Murphy's early ball into the area proved effective.

When the Magpies' intense, high press was not anticipated by Benfica, Murphy, preferred over the expensive signing, was there to deliver a low cross across the face of goal for Gordon to finish.

Second Half and Match-Winning Substitutions

Right from the start, the Portuguese team could not be accused of defending deeply and playing for a draw, but now their players pushed forward with real freedom. The winger consistently showed an ability to destabilize Newcastle's back four, and the home team were likely grateful to regroup at half-time.

The first half ended with the keeper once more rescuing his side by tipping the attacker's shot wide of the goal frame, and as the sides came out for the second half, the match seemed evenly poised.

If Gordon, clearly buoyed by scoring his fourth strike in three European games this season, played with the determination of a winger aiming to shift the power balance in his team's favor, the Benfica attacker had other ideas.

The manager's winger had previously emphasized that, while Dan Burn is a capable centre-back, he is not a born left-back, and Newcastle hearts were nervous every time he moved forward.

Howe might have relaxed had Miley, deputising for Sandro Tonali, not directed a corner above the crossbar from a good spot. Rather, this thrilling contest continued to swing from one goal to the other, prompting Newcastle's coach to introduce the midfielder and Harvey Barnes in place of Jacob Ramsey and Murphy.

The Benfica boss, at the same time, threw on an extra striker in Franjo Ivanovic. It would arguably prove a risk too far.

Harvey Barnes Wins the Match

Before that, Benfica, and especially their Portuguese defender Antonio Silva, had done a fine job in limiting Woltemade's space and forcing Newcastle's German centre-forward back. However, with right-back Dedic off, the defense was underpowered, and the way was clear for Harvey Barnes to show that Gordon is not the manager's only goal-scoring wide player.

Newcastle's double substitution was already paying off by the time the goalkeeper dispatched a wonderful long throw in the substitute's direction. When Antonio Silva, on this occasion, misjudged the bounce, the winger was away, sprinting into the area before keeping impressive composure to fire a superb strike past the keeper.

After Barnes rolled a low effort through poor the goalkeeper's feet after meeting Gordon's excellent pass, it was finished. The Benfica manager had warned that Newcastle have four quick wingers, and a trio of strikes from two wingers had shattered his hopes of securing Benfica's first European points of the season.