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When Jose Mourinho came at Newcastle's stadium and praised Newcastle's coach and his players, home fans were concerned about a difficult game. But those worries disappeared thanks to a goal from Anthony Gordon and two more from substitute Harvey Barnes, making sure the visitors' new manager would not cause any trouble for Howe's team.

Match Dynamics and Initial Action

The Benfica boss had forecast that Newcastle would be extremely aggressive, but his Benfica players displayed their similar aggressive style. The visitors clearly delighted in breaking up Newcastle's initial efforts to build a fluent passing rhythm.

Adding to Newcastle's issues, key midfielders, Tonali and the Brazilian, began as substitutes as they were recovering from sickness and injury each.

Prior to kick-off, the two managers shared a perfunctory, reserved embrace, and it quickly became apparent that the Benfica coach had instructed his side to quiet the home fans by delaying Newcastle and lowering the intensity whenever possible.

Critical Moments and Decisive Actions

Benfica's tactic yielded varied outcomes, but when Anthony Gordon and the Newcastle attack succeeded to break through the defensive barricades, they at first found it hard to create clear chances.

Moreover, Benfica's Belgium winger Dodi Lukebakio nearly showed scoring skill when, after leaving the defender behind, he forced Newcastle's keeper with a tremendous strike that required an excellent single-hand stop. It's no surprise Pope still hopes for an England recall in time for the World Cup.

But when the winger hit another attempt off the woodwork, the home side woke up. Jacob Murphy shot off target, and Benfica's keeper made an excellent close-range save from Bruno Guimaraes before Gordon finally broke the scoreless tie.

Gordon's blazing pace had created consternation for Mourinho all night, and he calmly slotted the first goal past the goalkeeper after Murphy's early ball into the box proved effective.

When the Magpies' hard, pressing game was not anticipated by the opposition, Jacob Murphy, preferred over the expensive signing, was available to pass a ground cross across the face of goal for Gordon to polish off.

Second Half and Decisive Substitutions

From the beginning, Benfica could not be accused 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 back four, and the Magpies were probably relieved to reset at half-time.

The first half ended with the keeper once more rescuing his team by tipping the attacker's left-foot wide of the goal frame, and as the teams came out for the next period, the match seemed finely poised.

While Anthony Gordon, clearly boosted by scoring his fourth goal in three Champions League appearances this season, played with the zeal of a wide player set to alter the power balance in Newcastle's favor, the Benfica attacker had other plans.

Mourinho's winger had previously emphasized that, while Dan Burn is a fine central defender, he is not a natural left-back, and home fans were nervous every time he moved forward.

The Newcastle manager might have relaxed had Lewis Miley, deputising for Sandro Tonali, not directed a set-piece over the bar from a good position. Rather, this thrilling game continued to move from end to end, persuading Newcastle's coach to introduce Joelinton and Barnes in place of Ramsey and Jacob Murphy.

Mourinho, meanwhile, threw on an extra striker in Franjo Ivanovic. It would perhaps prove a gamble too far.

Harvey Barnes Wins the Game

Until then, Benfica, and especially their Portugal back Antonio Silva, had done a fine job in restricting Woltemade's space and forcing Newcastle's German striker back. But now, with right-back Amar Dedic off, the defense was weakened, and the way was clear for Harvey Barnes to prove that Anthony Gordon is not the manager's only attacking wide player.

The home side's double substitution was already proving effective by the time Pope sent a wonderful throw in the substitute's path. When Silva, on this occasion, misjudged the flight, Barnes was away, accelerating into the area before keeping impressive poise to fire a sublime strike past the keeper.

When Harvey Barnes rolled a shot through poor Trubin's feet after receiving Gordon's stellar pass, it was all over. The Benfica manager had warned that Newcastle have four quick wide attackers, and a trio of strikes from a pair of wingers had destroyed his hopes of securing Benfica's first Champions League result of the campaign.