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When the Benfica manager arrived at Newcastle's stadium and praised Newcastle's coach and his players, local supporters feared a tough match. But those fears disappeared due to a strike from the winger and two more from substitute Harvey Barnes, making sure the visitors' coach would not cause any trouble for Howe's team.

Match Flow and Initial Action

Mourinho had forecast that Newcastle would be extremely aggressive, but his Benfica players showed their similar aggressive approach. Benfica clearly enjoyed breaking up the Magpies' initial efforts to establish a smooth attacking tempo.

Adding to the home team's challenges, two midfielders, Tonali and the Brazilian, began on the bench as they were convalescing from illness and injury respectively.

Prior to the start, the two managers shared a brief, cool embrace, and it quickly became clear that the Benfica coach had told his side to subdue the home fans by slowing the game and reducing the temperature at every chance.

Key Moments and Decisive Actions

The visitors' strategy yielded mixed outcomes, but when Gordon and his teammates succeeded to dismantle the defensive barricades, they at first struggled to create good opportunities.

Moreover, Benfica's Belgian winger Lukebakio almost demonstrated how to finish when, after beating Dan Burn on the ground, he forced Newcastle's keeper with a powerful strike that required an terrific single-hand save. It's no surprise the goalkeeper still hopes for an national team recall in time for the World Cup.

But when Lukebakio directed another shot against the post, Newcastle roused themselves. Murphy fired off target, and Benfica's keeper made an impressive near-post stop from Guimaraes before Anthony Gordon at last broke the deadlock.

Gordon's scorching speed had created consternation for Mourinho all night, and he neatly side-footed the first goal past the goalkeeper after his teammate's quick cross into the area paid off.

When the Magpies' hard, high press was not anticipated by the opposition, Jacob Murphy, chosen over the expensive signing, was available to pass a ground ball across the goal for Gordon to finish.

Second Half and Decisive Changes

Right from the start, Benfica could not be accused of parking the bus and seeking a point, but now Mourinho's players attacked with total abandon. The winger repeatedly displayed an ability to destabilize Howe's back four, and the Magpies were likely relieved to regroup at the break.

The first half concluded with Pope again saving his team by diverting Lukebakio'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 goal in three Champions League games this campaign, played with the determination of a winger set to alter the power balance in his team's favor, the Benfica attacker had different plans.

Mourinho's winger had previously emphasized that, while Dan Burn is a capable centre-back, he is not a natural full-back, and Newcastle hearts were in mouths every time he advanced.

The Newcastle manager might have felt easier had Miley, deputising for Sandro Tonali, not headed a corner over the crossbar from a good spot. Rather, this thrilling game continued to swing from end to end, prompting the manager to bring on the midfielder and Barnes in place of Ramsey and Jacob Murphy.

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

Barnes Wins the Game

Before that, the away team, and in particular their Portugal back Silva, had done a good job in limiting Woltemade's room and forcing the German striker back. However, with defender Amar Dedic substituted, the defense was underpowered, and the way was open for Harvey Barnes to show that Gordon is not Howe's only goal-scoring winger.

Newcastle's double substitution was already paying off by the time Pope sent a wonderful throw in Barnes's path. When Antonio Silva, on this occasion, misread the bounce, the winger was away, accelerating into the penalty box before maintaining impressive poise to fire a sublime strike past the keeper.

When Harvey Barnes slid a shot through unfortunate the goalkeeper's feet after receiving Gordon's stellar pass, it was all over. Mourinho had warned that the Magpies have several very fast wide attackers, and three goals from two wingers had destroyed his chances of earning the team's first European points of the season.