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When the Benfica manager arrived at Newcastle's stadium and complimented Newcastle's coach and his players, local fans were concerned about a difficult match. But such worries vanished thanks to a goal from Anthony Gordon and two more from substitute Harvey Barnes, making sure the visitors' coach did not inflict any trouble for Newcastle.

Match Dynamics and Initial Exchanges

Mourinho had predicted that the home side would be very physical, but his own team displayed their similar aggressive approach. Benfica clearly delighted in disrupting the Magpies' early efforts to build a smooth attacking tempo.

Adding to the home team's challenges, key players, Tonali and Joelinton, started on the bench as they continued recovering from illness and injury each.

Before the start, the coaches shared a brief, reserved greeting, and it soon became apparent that Mourinho had told his side to subdue the home fans by slowing the game and reducing the intensity at every chance.

Critical Events and Decisive Actions

The visitors' strategy yielded varied results, but when Gordon and his teammates succeeded to dismantle Benfica's backline, they initially struggled to generate clear opportunities.

Additionally, Benfica's Belgian attacker Lukebakio almost showed scoring skill when, after beating the defender behind, he forced Nick Pope with a tremendous strike that required an terrific one-handed save. It's no surprise Pope retains hope for an national team recall in time for the World Cup.

Yet when the winger hit a further attempt off the post, the home side woke up. Murphy shot off target, and Anatoliy Trubin made an impressive near-post save from Bruno Guimaraes before Gordon finally opened the scoreless tie.

The England winger's scorching speed had caused problems for the Benfica coach all evening, and he calmly slotted the first goal past Trubin after his teammate's early cross into the area paid off.

When Newcastle's intense, high press was not second-guessed by the opposition, Murphy, chosen over the expensive signing, was available to pass a low ball across the goal for Gordon to finish.

Second Half and Decisive Changes

From the beginning, the Portuguese team could not be blamed of defending deeply and seeking a point, but now their side pushed forward with real freedom. The winger repeatedly displayed an skill to destabilize Newcastle's back four, and the Magpies were likely relieved to regroup at the break.

The opening period concluded with Pope again saving his side by tipping the attacker's shot around the post, and as the sides emerged for the next period, the match seemed finely balanced.

While Anthony Gordon, evidently buoyed by netting his fourth goal in three Champions League games this campaign, played with the zeal of a winger set to alter the balance in Newcastle's direction, the Benfica attacker had other ideas.

The manager's winger had previously emphasized that, while Burn is a fine central defender, he is not a natural full-back, and Newcastle fans were in mouths every time he moved forward.

Howe might have relaxed had Miley, filling in for Sandro Tonali, not directed a set-piece above the bar from a good spot. Rather, this thrilling game continued to swing from one goal to the other, prompting Newcastle's manager to introduce Joelinton and Barnes in place of Jacob Ramsey and Murphy.

Mourinho, at the same time, brought on an additional striker in Ivanovic. This would perhaps prove a gamble that backfired.

Harvey Barnes Wins the Match

Until then, Benfica, and especially their Portugal back Silva, had done a fine job in restricting Nick Woltemade's room and forcing the Germany striker back. But now, with right-back Dedic substituted, the backline was weakened, and the way was open for Barnes to show that Gordon is not Howe's only attacking wide player.

Newcastle's double substitution was already paying off by the time the goalkeeper dispatched a wonderful long throw in the substitute's path. When Antonio Silva, for once, misread the flight, Barnes was clear, sprinting into the area before maintaining commendable poise to lash a superb strike past Trubin.

After Harvey Barnes slid a low effort through poor the goalkeeper's feet after receiving Anthony Gordon's excellent through ball, it was all over. The Benfica manager had warned that the Magpies have four quick wingers, and a trio of strikes from a pair of wide men had destroyed his hopes of securing the team's first European points of the campaign.