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When Jose Mourinho came at Newcastle's stadium and complimented Eddie Howe and his squad, local supporters were concerned about a tough match. However such worries vanished thanks to a strike from the winger and two more from substitute Harvey Barnes, making sure Benfica's coach did not inflict pain for Newcastle.

Game Dynamics and Early Exchanges

The Benfica boss had forecast that the home side would be extremely aggressive, but his own team showed their similar aggressive approach. The visitors certainly delighted in breaking up the Magpies' early efforts to establish a smooth passing rhythm.

Compounding Newcastle's issues, key midfielders, Tonali and the Brazilian, began as substitutes as they were convalescing from sickness and a knock each.

Prior to the start, the coaches shared a brief, cool embrace, and it quickly became apparent that Mourinho had told his side to quiet the crowd by delaying Newcastle and reducing the intensity at every chance.

Critical Moments and Decisive Actions

The visitors' strategy produced varied outcomes, but when Anthony Gordon and the Newcastle attack succeeded to dismantle Benfica's defensive barricades, they at first struggled to create clear chances.

Additionally, Benfica's Belgium winger Lukebakio almost demonstrated scoring skill when, after beating Dan Burn behind, he forced Newcastle's keeper with a powerful strike that got an excellent single-hand stop. No wonder the goalkeeper retains hope for an England recall in time for the global tournament.

But when Lukebakio hit another shot off the woodwork, the home side woke up. Murphy shot off target, and Anatoliy Trubin made an impressive close-range save from Bruno Guimaraes before Anthony Gordon finally broke the scoreless tie.

Gordon's scorching speed had caused problems for Mourinho all evening, and he neatly side-footed the first goal past the goalkeeper after Murphy's early ball into the box proved effective.

On the occasion Newcastle's intense, pressing game was not anticipated by Benfica, Jacob Murphy, preferred over £55m Anthony Elanga, was available to deliver a low ball across the goal for Gordon to finish.

Second Half and Decisive Changes

Right from the start, Benfica could not be blamed of parking the bus and seeking a point, but now their side pushed forward with total abandon. The winger consistently displayed an ability to unsettle Howe's defense, and the home team were likely relieved to regroup at half-time.

The first half concluded with the keeper again rescuing his team by tipping the attacker's shot wide of the goal frame, and as the sides emerged for the second half, the match seemed finely poised.

While Anthony Gordon, clearly buoyed by scoring his fourth strike in three European appearances this season, played with the zeal of a wide player set to shift the power balance in Newcastle's favor, Lukebakio had other ideas.

The manager's winger had previously shown that, while Burn is a capable centre-back, he is not a born full-back, and Newcastle hearts were in mouths every time Lukebakio advanced.

The Newcastle manager might have relaxed had Miley, deputising for Sandro Tonali, not headed a corner above the crossbar from a good position. Rather, this thrilling contest continued to move from end to end, persuading the manager to bring on Joelinton and Barnes in place of Ramsey and Murphy.

The Benfica boss, at the same time, brought on an extra striker in Ivanovic. It would perhaps prove a risk that backfired.

Barnes Seals the Match

Before that, Benfica, and in particular their Portuguese defender Silva, had performed a fine job in limiting Woltemade's space and forcing the Germany striker deep. But now, with right-back Amar Dedic off, the defense was weakened, and the way was clear for Harvey Barnes to show that Gordon is not Howe's only goal-scoring winger.

The home side's double substitution was already proving effective by the time the goalkeeper sent a superb throw in the substitute's path. When Silva, for once, misread the flight, the winger was clear, accelerating into the area before maintaining commendable composure to fire a sublime shot past the keeper.

After Barnes rolled a low effort through unfortunate the goalkeeper's legs after receiving Gordon's excellent through ball, it was finished. Mourinho had warned that the Magpies have four quick wingers, and three goals from two wide men had destroyed his chances of securing the team's first Champions League result of the campaign.