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As the Benfica manager arrived at Newcastle's stadium and praised Newcastle's coach and his squad, home supporters were concerned about a tough match. However those worries disappeared due to a strike from the winger and two more from substitute Harvey Barnes, ensuring Benfica's coach would not cause any trouble for Newcastle.

Game Dynamics and Initial Exchanges

Mourinho had forecast that the home side would be extremely aggressive, but his own team displayed their own combative style. Benfica clearly enjoyed disrupting the Magpies' initial attempts to establish a smooth passing tempo.

Adding to the home team's challenges, two midfielders, Tonali and the Brazilian, began as substitutes as they were recovering from illness and a knock each.

Prior to the start, the two managers exchanged a perfunctory, reserved embrace, and it quickly became apparent that the Benfica coach had told his side to subdue the crowd by delaying Newcastle and reducing the temperature whenever possible.

Key Events and Decisive Actions

Benfica's tactic yielded mixed outcomes, but when Gordon and the Newcastle attack succeeded to dismantle Benfica's backline, they at first struggled to generate good opportunities.

Moreover, the Belgian attacker Lukebakio nearly showed scoring skill when, after beating the defender behind, he forced Newcastle's keeper with a powerful shot that required an terrific single-hand stop. No wonder the goalkeeper still hopes for an England recall in time for the World Cup.

Yet when the winger hit another attempt off the woodwork, Newcastle roused themselves. Murphy fired off target, and Benfica's keeper made an impressive close-range stop from Bruno Guimaraes before Gordon finally broke the deadlock.

Gordon's scorching pace had created consternation for the Benfica coach all evening, and he calmly side-footed the opener past the goalkeeper after Murphy's quick ball into the area paid off.

When the Magpies' intense, high press was not anticipated by the opposition, Jacob Murphy, chosen over the expensive signing, was available to pass a low cross across the face of goal for the winger to polish off.

Second Half and Decisive Changes

Right from the start, the Portuguese team could not be accused of defending deeply and playing for a draw, but now Mourinho's side pushed forward with total freedom. Lukebakio repeatedly displayed an ability to unsettle Newcastle's back four, and the home team were probably relieved to reset at the break.

The first half concluded with the keeper once more saving his side by tipping the attacker's shot wide of the goal frame, and as the teams came out for the second half, the match seemed finely balanced.

While Anthony Gordon, clearly boosted by netting his fourth strike in three Champions League games this season, played with the determination of a winger aiming to alter the balance in his team's favor, the Benfica attacker had different plans.

The manager's winger had already shown that, while Burn is a fine central defender, he is not a natural full-back, and Newcastle fans were nervous every time Lukebakio moved forward.

The Newcastle manager might have relaxed had Miley, deputising for Tonali, not headed a set-piece above the bar from a well-placed position. Instead, this thrilling contest continued to swing from end to end, persuading Newcastle's coach to introduce Joelinton and Harvey Barnes in place of Ramsey and Murphy.

The Benfica boss, at the same time, brought on an extra forward in Franjo Ivanovic. It would perhaps prove a gamble too far.

Barnes Wins the Match

Until then, the away team, and especially their Portugal back Silva, had done a fine job in restricting Nick Woltemade's room and forcing the German striker back. However, with right-back Dedic substituted, the backline was underpowered, and the way was clear for Barnes to show that Anthony Gordon is not Howe's only goal-scoring wide player.

The home side's two changes was already proving effective by the time Pope sent a superb throw in the substitute's direction. When Antonio Silva, on this occasion, misjudged the bounce, Barnes was clear, sprinting into the area before maintaining commendable composure to fire a sublime strike past Trubin.

When Barnes rolled a low effort through poor the goalkeeper's legs after meeting Anthony Gordon's excellent through ball, it was all over. Mourinho had warned that the Magpies have four very fast wingers, and a trio of strikes from a pair of wide men had destroyed his hopes of earning the team's first Champions League result of the campaign.