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As Jose Mourinho arrived at Newcastle's stadium and praised Eddie Howe and his players, home fans feared a tough match. However those fears disappeared thanks to a strike from Anthony Gordon and a brace from substitute the forward, ensuring Benfica's new manager would not cause any trouble for Howe's team.

Match Dynamics and Initial Exchanges

Mourinho had forecast that Newcastle would be very physical, but his Benfica players displayed their own aggressive style. Benfica certainly enjoyed breaking up the Magpies' early attempts to establish a smooth passing tempo.

Adding to Newcastle's issues, key players, Tonali and the Brazilian, started on the bench as they continued convalescing from sickness and a knock respectively.

Prior to the start, the coaches shared a brief, reserved embrace, and it quickly became apparent that the Benfica coach had told his team to subdue the home fans by delaying the game and reducing the temperature at every chance.

Key Events and Turning Points

Benfica's strategy yielded varied results, but when Anthony Gordon and the Newcastle attack managed to break through Benfica's defensive barricades, they initially found it hard to create clear opportunities.

Additionally, the Belgium attacker Lukebakio almost showed scoring skill when, after leaving Dan Burn behind, he tested Newcastle's keeper with a powerful shot that required an excellent one-handed stop. No wonder Pope retains hope for an England return in time for the global tournament.

Yet when the winger hit another shot off the woodwork, Newcastle roused themselves. Murphy shot off target, and Benfica's keeper made an excellent near-post save from Guimaraes before Gordon finally opened the scoreless tie.

Gordon's blazing pace had caused consternation for Mourinho all night, and he calmly side-footed the first goal past the goalkeeper after Murphy's early cross into the area proved effective.

On the occasion Newcastle's hard, pressing game was not anticipated by the opposition, Jacob Murphy, chosen over the expensive signing, was there to deliver a ground ball across the goal for Gordon to polish off.

Later Stages and Match-Winning Substitutions

From the beginning, Benfica could not be accused of defending deeply and playing for a draw, but now their side attacked with real freedom. Lukebakio repeatedly displayed an ability to destabilize Newcastle's back four, and the Magpies were probably relieved to regroup at half-time.

The opening period ended with Pope again rescuing his side by tipping Lukebakio's left-foot wide of the post, and as the teams emerged for the second half, the match seemed finely balanced.

While Gordon, clearly buoyed by scoring his fourth strike in three European games this season, played with the determination of a winger set to alter the power balance in his team's favor, Lukebakio had different ideas.

The manager's winger had already emphasized that, while Dan Burn is a capable central defender, he is not a natural left-back, and Newcastle hearts were in mouths every time Lukebakio advanced.

Howe might have felt easier had Lewis Miley, deputising for Sandro Tonali, not headed a set-piece above the bar from a well-placed spot. Rather, this thrilling game continued to swing from one goal to the other, prompting the manager to introduce Joelinton and Barnes in place of Jacob Ramsey and Jacob Murphy.

The Benfica boss, meanwhile, threw on an extra striker in Ivanovic. It would arguably prove a gamble that backfired.

Barnes Seals the Game

Before that, Benfica, and especially their Portugal back Silva, had done a fine job in limiting Nick Woltemade's space and forcing the Germany centre-forward deep. But now, with right-back Dedic off, the backline was underpowered, and the way was open for Harvey Barnes to prove 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 path. When Antonio Silva, for once, misread the flight, Barnes was clear, sprinting into the penalty box before maintaining impressive composure to lash a sublime shot past the keeper.

After Barnes rolled a shot through poor Trubin's feet after meeting Gordon's excellent through ball, it was finished. Mourinho had cautioned that Newcastle have several very fast wide attackers, and a trio of strikes from two wingers had destroyed his chances of earning the team's first Champions League points of the season.