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As Jose Mourinho came at Newcastle's stadium and complimented Newcastle's coach and his squad, home fans were concerned about a tough match. But such worries vanished thanks to a goal from the winger and two more from replacement Harvey Barnes, making sure Benfica's coach would not cause pain for Newcastle.

Match Dynamics and Early Exchanges

Mourinho had predicted that the home side would be very physical, but his Benfica players showed their own aggressive style. The visitors clearly enjoyed breaking up the Magpies' initial efforts to build a fluent passing tempo.

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

Prior to the start, the two managers exchanged a perfunctory, reserved greeting, and it soon became apparent that the Benfica coach had instructed his side to subdue the home fans by delaying the game and reducing the intensity whenever possible.

Critical Events and Turning Points

Benfica's strategy yielded mixed outcomes, but when Gordon and the Newcastle attack managed to dismantle Benfica's backline, they at first found it hard to generate clear opportunities.

Additionally, the Belgian winger Dodi Lukebakio nearly showed scoring skill when, after beating Dan Burn on the ground, he forced Nick Pope with a powerful strike that required an terrific single-hand stop. It's no surprise the goalkeeper retains hope for an national team return in time for the World Cup.

Yet when the winger hit another attempt off the post, Newcastle woke up. Jacob Murphy shot off target, and Benfica's keeper made an excellent close-range stop from Guimaraes before Anthony Gordon finally opened the scoreless tie.

The England winger's scorching pace had caused problems for the Benfica coach all night, and he neatly slotted the opener past Trubin after Murphy's quick ball into the box proved effective.

On the occasion Newcastle's intense, high press was not second-guessed by the opposition, Jacob Murphy, preferred over £55m Anthony Elanga, was there to deliver a ground cross across the goal for Gordon to finish.

Second Half and Match-Winning Changes

From the beginning, Benfica could not be blamed of parking the bus and seeking a point, but now their players attacked with real freedom. Lukebakio repeatedly showed an skill to destabilize Howe's defense, and the home team were probably grateful to reset at half-time.

The opening period concluded with the keeper again rescuing his team by tipping Lukebakio's left-foot around the goal frame, and as the teams emerged for the second half, the match seemed evenly poised.

If Gordon, evidently boosted by netting his fourth goal in three Champions League games this season, played with the determination of a winger aiming to alter the balance in his team's favor, the Benfica attacker had other plans.

The manager's No 11 had previously emphasized that, while Dan Burn is a fine central defender, he is not a born left-back, and Newcastle fans were nervous every time Lukebakio advanced.

Howe might have relaxed had Lewis Miley, deputising for Tonali, not directed a set-piece over the bar from a well-placed position. Rather, this absorbing game continued to move from end to end, persuading Newcastle's coach to bring on Joelinton and Barnes in place of Ramsey and Murphy.

The Benfica boss, meanwhile, brought on an extra forward in Franjo Ivanovic. This would perhaps prove a risk too far.

Barnes Seals the Match

Until then, the away team, and in particular their Portugal back Silva, had done a good job in restricting Woltemade's room and forcing Newcastle's Germany striker deep. However, with right-back Amar Dedic off, the backline was underpowered, and the path was open for Harvey Barnes to show that Anthony Gordon is not the manager's only goal-scoring wide player.

Newcastle's double substitution was already proving effective by the time Pope sent a superb long throw in the substitute's direction. When Silva, for once, misjudged the flight, the winger was clear, sprinting into the penalty box before keeping impressive composure to fire a sublime strike past Trubin.

After Harvey Barnes rolled a low effort through unfortunate Trubin's legs after meeting Anthony Gordon's stellar through ball, it was all over. Mourinho had warned that Newcastle have several very fast wide attackers, and three goals from two wingers had destroyed his chances of securing the team's first European points of the campaign.