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When the Benfica manager arrived at Newcastle's stadium and complimented Newcastle's coach and his players, local supporters feared a tough game. However such fears disappeared thanks to a goal from Anthony Gordon and two more from substitute the forward, making sure the visitors' coach did not inflict any trouble for Howe's team.

Game Dynamics and Early Exchanges

The Benfica boss had predicted that the home side would be very physical, but his Benfica players displayed their own combative style. The visitors clearly delighted in disrupting the Magpies' initial attempts to establish a fluent passing rhythm.

Adding to Newcastle's issues, two midfielders, Tonali and the Brazilian, began on the bench as they continued convalescing from illness and a knock each.

Before kick-off, the coaches shared a brief, reserved embrace, and it soon became apparent that the Benfica coach had instructed his team to subdue the crowd by delaying Newcastle and lowering the temperature whenever possible.

Key Events and Turning Points

The visitors' tactic produced mixed results, but when Anthony Gordon and the Newcastle attack managed to break through Benfica's backline, they initially struggled to create clear opportunities.

Moreover, the Belgian winger Lukebakio almost showed scoring skill when, after leaving Dan Burn on the ground, he tested Newcastle's keeper with a tremendous shot that got an excellent one-handed save. No wonder the goalkeeper retains hope for an England recall in time for the global tournament.

Yet when Lukebakio directed a further attempt off the post, Newcastle roused themselves. Murphy fired off target, and Anatoliy Trubin made an impressive near-post save from Guimaraes before Anthony Gordon finally broke the deadlock.

Gordon's scorching pace had caused problems for Mourinho all evening, and he neatly side-footed the first goal past Trubin after Murphy's quick ball into the box proved effective.

On the occasion the Magpies' intense, pressing game was not second-guessed by the opposition, Murphy, chosen over the expensive signing, was there to pass a ground ball across the goal for Gordon to polish off.

Later Stages and Decisive Substitutions

From the beginning, Benfica could not be blamed of defending deeply and seeking a point, but now Mourinho's side attacked with real abandon. Lukebakio consistently showed an ability to destabilize Howe's defense, and the home team were likely relieved to reset at half-time.

The first half concluded with Pope once more rescuing his side by tipping the attacker's left-foot wide of the post, and as the teams came out for the next period, the match seemed evenly balanced.

While Anthony Gordon, evidently boosted by netting his fourth goal in three European games this season, played with the zeal of a wide player set to alter the balance in his team's direction, Lukebakio had different ideas.

Mourinho's No 11 had previously emphasized that, while Dan Burn is a fine central defender, he is not a natural left-back, and home hearts were nervous every time he advanced.

Howe might have felt easier had Lewis Miley, deputising for Sandro Tonali, not directed a corner over the bar from a good position. Instead, this thrilling contest continued to swing from one goal to the other, persuading the coach to introduce Joelinton and Barnes in place of Ramsey and Murphy.

The Benfica boss, meanwhile, threw on an extra forward in Ivanovic. This would arguably prove a gamble too far.

Barnes Wins the Match

Before that, Benfica, and especially their Portuguese back Antonio Silva, had performed a good job in restricting Nick Woltemade's space and forcing Newcastle's German striker back. But now, with defender Amar Dedic off, the defense was underpowered, and the way was open for Barnes to prove that Anthony Gordon is not the manager's only goal-scoring winger.

Newcastle's double substitution was already paying off by the time Pope sent a superb long throw in the substitute's path. When Silva, on this occasion, misjudged the flight, Barnes was away, sprinting into the area before maintaining commendable composure to lash a sublime shot past the keeper.

When Barnes slid a shot through poor the goalkeeper's feet after receiving Anthony Gordon's excellent pass, it was finished. The Benfica manager had warned that the Magpies have four quick wide attackers, and three goals from a pair of wingers had shattered his chances of securing the team's first European result of the season.