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When the Benfica manager arrived at Newcastle's stadium and praised Eddie Howe and his squad, local supporters feared a difficult match. But such fears vanished due to a strike from the winger and two more from substitute the forward, ensuring Benfica's coach did not inflict pain for Howe's team.

Match Dynamics and Initial Exchanges

Mourinho had predicted that Newcastle would be extremely aggressive, but his Benfica players showed their similar aggressive approach. Benfica certainly enjoyed disrupting Newcastle's early efforts to establish a smooth passing tempo.

Compounding the home team's issues, key midfielders, Tonali and Joelinton, began as substitutes as they continued convalescing from sickness and injury each.

Prior to kick-off, the two managers exchanged a brief, reserved embrace, and it quickly became clear that Mourinho had told his team to subdue the home fans by delaying the game and lowering the intensity whenever possible.

Key Events and Decisive Actions

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

Moreover, Benfica's Belgian attacker Lukebakio nearly demonstrated scoring skill when, after leaving the defender on the ground, he forced Newcastle's keeper with a powerful shot that required an terrific single-hand save. No wonder Pope still hopes for an England recall in time for the global tournament.

Yet when the winger hit another shot against the post, the home side woke up. Murphy shot off target, and Benfica's keeper made an excellent near-post stop from Bruno Guimaraes before Anthony Gordon at last broke the deadlock.

Gordon's scorching speed had created problems for the Benfica coach all night, and he neatly side-footed the opener past Trubin after Murphy's quick cross into the box proved effective.

When Newcastle's hard, pressing game was not second-guessed by the opposition, Jacob Murphy, chosen over the expensive signing, was there to deliver a low ball across the face of goal for Gordon to polish off.

Second Half and Match-Winning Substitutions

Right from the start, Benfica could not be accused of parking the bus and seeking a point, but now their side pushed forward with real abandon. Lukebakio repeatedly displayed an skill to destabilize Howe's back four, and the home team were likely relieved to regroup at the break.

The first half ended with the keeper once more rescuing his side by diverting the attacker's shot around the goal frame, and as the sides emerged for the second half, everything seemed evenly poised.

If Anthony Gordon, evidently boosted by netting his fourth goal in three Champions League games this campaign, played with the zeal of a wide player aiming to alter the power balance in Newcastle's favor, Lukebakio had different ideas.

The manager's No 11 had previously emphasized that, while Dan Burn is a capable centre-back, he is not a natural full-back, and home hearts were in mouths every time he moved forward.

Howe might have felt easier had Miley, deputising for Sandro Tonali, not directed a set-piece above the crossbar from a well-placed spot. Rather, this absorbing contest continued to move from one goal to the other, persuading Newcastle's manager to bring on Joelinton and Harvey Barnes in place of Ramsey and Jacob Murphy.

The Benfica boss, meanwhile, brought on an extra striker in Ivanovic. This would perhaps prove a risk that backfired.

Harvey Barnes Wins the Match

Before that, Benfica, and in particular their Portuguese back Silva, had done a good job in restricting Nick Woltemade's space and pushing the German striker deep. However, with right-back Amar Dedic substituted, the defense was underpowered, and the path was clear for Harvey Barnes to prove that Anthony Gordon is not the manager's only goal-scoring wide player.

Newcastle's two changes was already paying off by the time Pope sent a superb long throw in the substitute's path. When Antonio Silva, for once, misread the flight, the winger was clear, accelerating into the area before keeping commendable composure to lash a superb strike past Trubin.

When Barnes rolled a shot through unfortunate the goalkeeper's feet after meeting Gordon's stellar through ball, it was all over. Mourinho had cautioned that Newcastle have four quick wide attackers, and a trio of strikes from a pair of wingers had destroyed his chances of securing Benfica's first Champions League points of the campaign.