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When the Benfica manager arrived at Newcastle's stadium and praised Eddie Howe and his players, local supporters were concerned about a difficult game. But those fears vanished thanks to a strike from Anthony Gordon and a brace from replacement Harvey Barnes, ensuring the visitors' new manager would not cause pain for Newcastle.

Match Flow and Early Action

The Benfica boss had forecast that Newcastle would be extremely aggressive, but his Benfica players displayed their similar combative approach. The visitors certainly enjoyed disrupting the Magpies' early attempts to establish a fluent passing tempo.

Adding to the home team's issues, key players, Tonali and Joelinton, began as substitutes as they were convalescing from sickness and a knock each.

Prior to the start, the two managers exchanged a perfunctory, reserved embrace, and it soon became clear that Mourinho had instructed his side to subdue the home fans by slowing Newcastle and lowering the intensity at every chance.

Key Moments and Decisive Actions

Benfica's strategy yielded varied outcomes, but when Anthony Gordon and the Newcastle attack succeeded to break through the backline, they initially struggled to generate good opportunities.

Additionally, Benfica's Belgium attacker Lukebakio almost showed scoring skill when, after leaving the defender behind, he tested Newcastle's keeper with a powerful shot that got an terrific single-hand stop. It's no surprise the goalkeeper still hopes for an national team recall in time for the global tournament.

But when Lukebakio hit a further shot against the post, Newcastle roused themselves. Murphy shot off target, and Anatoliy Trubin made an impressive near-post stop from Bruno Guimaraes before Gordon at last broke the scoreless tie.

Gordon's scorching speed had caused consternation for the Benfica coach all night, and he calmly side-footed the opener past Trubin after Murphy's quick cross into the box paid off.

On the occasion Newcastle's hard, high press was not second-guessed by the opposition, Jacob Murphy, preferred over the expensive signing, was available to deliver a ground cross across the face of goal for Gordon to polish off.

Second Half and Match-Winning Substitutions

From the beginning, the Portuguese team could not be blamed of defending deeply and playing for a draw, but now their side pushed forward with real abandon. Lukebakio consistently showed an ability to unsettle Howe's defense, and the home team were likely relieved to regroup at the break.

The opening period ended with Pope once more rescuing his side by diverting Lukebakio's left-foot wide of the goal frame, and as the teams came out for the second half, the match seemed evenly poised.

While Gordon, evidently boosted by scoring his fourth goal in three European games this season, played with the determination of a winger aiming to shift the balance in his team's direction, the Benfica attacker had other ideas.

The manager's No 11 had previously emphasized that, while Burn is a capable centre-back, he is not a born left-back, and home fans were nervous every time he moved forward.

The Newcastle manager might have felt easier had Miley, filling in for Tonali, not directed a corner above the crossbar from a good spot. Rather, this absorbing game continued to swing from end to end, persuading Newcastle's coach to introduce the midfielder and Barnes in place of Jacob Ramsey and Jacob Murphy.

Mourinho, at the same time, brought on an extra striker in Ivanovic. It would arguably prove a gamble too far.

Barnes Seals the Match

Before that, Benfica, and especially their Portuguese defender Antonio Silva, had performed a good job in limiting Nick Woltemade's space and pushing the German centre-forward back. However, with defender Amar Dedic off, the defense was weakened, and the way was clear for Harvey Barnes to show that Gordon is not Howe's only attacking winger.

Newcastle's double substitution was already paying off by the time the goalkeeper sent a superb throw in the substitute's path. When Antonio Silva, for once, misread the flight, Barnes was clear, accelerating into the area before maintaining commendable poise to fire a sublime shot past the keeper.

When Harvey Barnes rolled a shot through poor Trubin's feet after receiving Anthony Gordon's stellar through ball, it was finished. Mourinho had warned that Newcastle have several very fast wingers, and three goals from two wingers had destroyed his hopes of securing Benfica's first European result of the season.