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When the Benfica manager came at Newcastle's stadium and praised Newcastle's coach and his squad, local supporters were concerned about a tough game. But those fears disappeared thanks to a goal from the winger and a brace from substitute the forward, making sure Benfica's coach did not inflict pain for Newcastle.

Match Dynamics and Early Exchanges

The Benfica boss had forecast that the home side would be very physical, but his Benfica players showed their similar aggressive approach. The visitors certainly enjoyed breaking up Newcastle's early efforts to build a smooth passing tempo.

Compounding Newcastle's issues, key midfielders, Sandro Tonali and the Brazilian, began on the bench as they were recovering from illness and a knock each.

Prior to the start, the coaches exchanged a brief, reserved embrace, and it soon became apparent that Mourinho had instructed his team to subdue the crowd by slowing Newcastle and reducing the intensity whenever possible.

Key Moments and Decisive Actions

Benfica's tactic yielded varied results, but when Gordon and the Newcastle attack succeeded to dismantle the backline, they at first struggled to create clear chances.

Additionally, the Belgium attacker Dodi Lukebakio almost demonstrated scoring skill when, after leaving Dan Burn on the ground, he tested Nick Pope with a powerful strike that got an excellent single-hand save. No wonder the goalkeeper retains hope for an England recall in time for the World Cup.

Yet when Lukebakio hit another attempt off the post, Newcastle woke up. Murphy fired off target, and Anatoliy Trubin made an excellent near-post stop from Guimaraes before Anthony Gordon at last opened the scoreless tie.

The England winger's blazing pace had created consternation for Mourinho all evening, and he calmly side-footed the first goal past Trubin after his teammate's early cross into the box paid off.

When Newcastle's hard, pressing game was not anticipated by Benfica, Murphy, chosen over the expensive signing, was available to deliver a low cross across the face of goal for Gordon to finish.

Second Half and Match-Winning Substitutions

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 unsettle Newcastle's defense, and the Magpies were likely grateful to reset at half-time.

The opening period concluded with Pope once more rescuing his side by tipping Lukebakio's shot around the post, and as the sides emerged for the next period, everything seemed finely balanced.

While Gordon, evidently boosted by netting his fourth goal in three European appearances this season, played with the determination of a winger set to shift the balance in his team's direction, Lukebakio had other ideas.

Mourinho's No 11 had previously shown that, while Dan Burn is a capable central defender, he is not a born left-back, and Newcastle hearts were in mouths every time he advanced.

The Newcastle manager might have relaxed had Lewis Miley, filling in for Tonali, not directed a set-piece over the crossbar from a well-placed spot. Instead, this thrilling contest continued to swing from end to end, prompting the manager to introduce the midfielder and Harvey Barnes in place of Jacob Ramsey and Murphy.

Mourinho, at the same time, threw on an additional forward in Ivanovic. This would arguably prove a gamble that backfired.

Harvey Barnes Wins the Game

Before that, the away team, and especially their Portugal defender Antonio Silva, had done a good job in restricting Nick Woltemade's space and forcing the German centre-forward back. However, with defender Amar Dedic off, the backline was underpowered, and the path was open for Barnes to prove that Gordon is not Howe's only goal-scoring winger.

Newcastle's double substitution was already paying off by the time Pope sent a superb throw in Barnes's path. When Silva, for once, misread the bounce, Barnes was away, accelerating into the penalty box before maintaining commendable poise to fire a superb shot past the keeper.

When Barnes rolled a shot through poor Trubin's legs after receiving Gordon's excellent pass, it was finished. Mourinho had warned that Newcastle have several very fast wide attackers, and a trio of strikes from a pair of wide men had destroyed his hopes of securing the team's first Champions League result of the season.