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As the Benfica manager came at St James' Park and complimented Newcastle's coach and his squad, local supporters were concerned about a tough game. But those worries vanished due to a strike from Anthony Gordon and a brace from replacement the forward, ensuring Benfica's coach did not inflict any trouble for Howe's team.

Game Dynamics and Early Action

Mourinho had predicted that the home side would be extremely aggressive, but his Benfica players showed their similar aggressive style. Benfica clearly enjoyed disrupting Newcastle's initial attempts to establish a smooth passing tempo.

Adding to the home team's issues, key midfielders, Sandro Tonali and the Brazilian, began on the bench as they continued recovering from sickness and a knock respectively.

Before the start, the two managers shared a perfunctory, cool embrace, and it quickly became clear that the Benfica coach had instructed his team to subdue the home fans by slowing the game and reducing the temperature whenever possible.

Key Events and Turning Points

Benfica's tactic produced mixed results, but when Anthony Gordon and his teammates succeeded to dismantle Benfica's backline, they initially found it hard to create clear opportunities.

Additionally, the Belgium attacker Dodi Lukebakio nearly showed scoring skill when, after beating Dan Burn behind, he forced Newcastle's keeper with a powerful shot that required an excellent one-handed save. It's no surprise the goalkeeper still hopes for an national team recall in time for the global tournament.

Yet when the winger directed a further attempt off the woodwork, Newcastle roused themselves. Jacob Murphy fired off target, and Anatoliy Trubin made an impressive near-post save from Bruno Guimaraes before Gordon finally broke the scoreless tie.

The England winger's blazing speed had caused problems for Mourinho all night, and he calmly slotted the first goal past the goalkeeper after Murphy's early ball into the area proved effective.

When the Magpies' intense, pressing game was not second-guessed by Benfica, Jacob Murphy, chosen over the expensive signing, was available to deliver a low cross across the 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 side pushed forward with total freedom. The winger repeatedly displayed an ability to destabilize Howe's defense, and the Magpies were probably grateful to regroup at the break.

The opening period concluded with the keeper again rescuing his team by tipping the attacker's shot wide of the goal frame, and as the sides came out for the next period, the match seemed evenly balanced.

If Gordon, clearly buoyed by scoring his fourth goal in three Champions League games this campaign, played with the zeal of a wide player aiming to alter the power balance in Newcastle's direction, the Benfica attacker had different 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 fans were nervous every time he moved forward.

The Newcastle manager might have felt easier had Miley, filling in for Sandro Tonali, not directed a set-piece over the bar from a good position. Instead, this absorbing contest continued to swing from end to end, persuading Newcastle's manager to introduce the midfielder and Harvey Barnes in place of Ramsey and Murphy.

Mourinho, at the same time, brought on an additional forward in Franjo Ivanovic. This would arguably prove a risk too far.

Harvey Barnes Seals the Game

Until then, Benfica, and especially their Portuguese defender Silva, had performed a fine job in limiting Woltemade's room and forcing the Germany centre-forward back. But now, with defender Dedic off, the backline was underpowered, and the path was clear for Harvey Barnes to prove that Anthony 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 long throw in Barnes's direction. When Antonio Silva, on this occasion, misread the flight, the winger was clear, sprinting into the area before keeping commendable composure to fire a superb strike past Trubin.

After Barnes rolled a shot through unfortunate the goalkeeper's legs after receiving Anthony Gordon's stellar through ball, it was all over. The Benfica manager had cautioned that the Magpies have four quick wide attackers, and a trio of strikes from a pair of wide men had destroyed his hopes of securing Benfica's first European result of the season.