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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 difficult match. However such worries vanished due to a strike from Anthony Gordon and two more from replacement Harvey Barnes, making sure Benfica's coach would not cause pain for Howe's team.

Match Dynamics and Initial Exchanges

Mourinho had predicted that Newcastle would be very physical, but his Benfica players displayed their own aggressive approach. The visitors certainly enjoyed breaking up Newcastle's initial attempts to establish a fluent attacking tempo.

Adding to Newcastle's challenges, two midfielders, Tonali and the Brazilian, began as substitutes as they were convalescing from illness and injury respectively.

Before kick-off, the coaches shared a perfunctory, cool greeting, and it soon became clear that Mourinho had instructed his side to quiet the crowd by delaying Newcastle and reducing the temperature whenever possible.

Key Moments and Turning Points

Benfica's tactic produced varied results, but when Gordon and the Newcastle attack managed to dismantle the backline, they initially found it hard to generate good chances.

Moreover, the Belgium attacker Dodi Lukebakio nearly demonstrated how to finish when, after beating the defender on the ground, he tested Newcastle's keeper with a powerful shot that required an excellent single-hand save. No wonder Pope retains hope for an England recall in time for the World Cup.

Yet when the winger hit another shot off the woodwork, Newcastle woke up. Jacob Murphy fired wide, and Anatoliy Trubin made an impressive near-post save from Guimaraes before Gordon finally broke the scoreless tie.

The England winger's scorching speed had caused problems for Mourinho all night, and he calmly side-footed the opener past Trubin after his teammate's quick cross into the area proved effective.

On the occasion the Magpies' hard, high press was not anticipated by the opposition, Murphy, preferred over the expensive signing, was available to deliver a ground ball across the goal for the winger to polish off.

Second Half and Decisive Substitutions

Right from the start, Benfica could not be blamed of parking the bus and playing for a draw, but now Mourinho's side attacked with total freedom. The winger consistently showed an ability to destabilize Howe's back four, and the Magpies were likely relieved to regroup at half-time.

The first half concluded with Pope once more saving his side by tipping Lukebakio's shot wide of the goal frame, and as the teams came out for the second half, the match seemed evenly poised.

If Anthony Gordon, clearly boosted by scoring his fourth goal in three European games this season, played with the determination of a wide player aiming to shift the power balance in his team's favor, the Benfica attacker had different plans.

The manager's No 11 had already emphasized that, while Burn is a fine central defender, he is not a born full-back, and Newcastle hearts were nervous every time he advanced.

Howe might have relaxed had Miley, filling in for Tonali, not directed a corner over the bar from a good spot. Instead, this thrilling contest continued to move from end to end, persuading the coach to introduce Joelinton and Barnes in place of Jacob Ramsey and Jacob Murphy.

The Benfica boss, at the same time, threw on an extra forward in Ivanovic. This would perhaps prove a risk too far.

Harvey Barnes Seals the Game

Until then, the away team, and in particular their Portugal back Silva, had done a good job in restricting Nick Woltemade's space and pushing the Germany centre-forward back. But now, with defender Amar Dedic off, the backline was underpowered, and the path was clear for Barnes to prove that Gordon is not Howe's only attacking winger.

The home side's two changes was already paying off by the time Pope sent a superb throw in Barnes's direction. When Silva, for once, misjudged the bounce, Barnes was away, sprinting into the penalty box before keeping commendable poise to fire a superb strike past Trubin.

After Harvey Barnes slid a low effort through unfortunate Trubin's feet after receiving Anthony Gordon's stellar through ball, it was finished. The Benfica manager had warned that Newcastle have several very fast wingers, and three goals from two wingers had destroyed his hopes of earning Benfica's first European result of the season.