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As Jose Mourinho came at Newcastle's stadium and complimented Eddie Howe and his squad, home fans were concerned about a tough match. However such fears vanished thanks to a strike from the winger and a brace from substitute Harvey Barnes, ensuring Benfica's coach did not inflict pain for Newcastle.

Match Flow and Initial Action

Mourinho had forecast that the home side would be extremely aggressive, but his Benfica players showed their own aggressive approach. Benfica clearly enjoyed breaking up Newcastle's early efforts to build a smooth passing rhythm.

Compounding Newcastle's issues, key players, Tonali and the Brazilian, began as substitutes as they were convalescing from sickness and injury each.

Prior to the start, the coaches shared a brief, cool greeting, and it soon became clear that Mourinho had told his team to quiet the home fans by delaying Newcastle and reducing the intensity at every chance.

Critical Moments and Decisive Actions

Benfica's tactic yielded varied results, but when Anthony Gordon and the Newcastle attack succeeded to dismantle the defensive barricades, they at first struggled to generate clear opportunities.

Additionally, Benfica's Belgian winger Dodi Lukebakio almost demonstrated scoring skill when, after beating the defender behind, he tested Newcastle's keeper with a tremendous 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 global tournament.

But when the winger directed another shot against the woodwork, Newcastle woke up. Murphy shot wide, and Benfica's keeper made an impressive near-post save from Guimaraes before Gordon finally broke the deadlock.

The England winger's blazing speed had caused consternation for Mourinho all night, and he calmly side-footed the opener past the goalkeeper after his teammate's quick cross into the box paid off.

On the occasion Newcastle's hard, high press was not second-guessed by Benfica, Murphy, chosen over £55m Anthony Elanga, was there to deliver a low cross across the face of goal for the winger to finish.

Second Half and Match-Winning Changes

From the beginning, the Portuguese team could not be blamed of defending deeply and seeking a point, but now their players attacked with real abandon. The winger repeatedly displayed an ability to unsettle Howe's back four, and the home team were likely grateful to regroup at half-time.

The opening period concluded with the keeper once more saving his side by diverting Lukebakio's left-foot around the goal frame, and as the teams came out for the next period, the match seemed evenly balanced.

If Gordon, clearly boosted by netting his fourth strike in three Champions League appearances this season, played with the determination of a winger set to alter the balance in his team'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 left-back, and home fans were nervous every time Lukebakio advanced.

Howe might have felt easier had Lewis Miley, filling in for Tonali, not directed a corner above the bar from a good spot. Rather, this absorbing contest continued to move from end to end, prompting Newcastle's coach to bring on the midfielder and Harvey Barnes in place of Ramsey and Murphy.

The Benfica boss, meanwhile, brought on an extra striker in Ivanovic. It would arguably prove a gamble too far.

Harvey Barnes Wins the Match

Before that, Benfica, and especially their Portuguese back Antonio Silva, had done a fine job in limiting Woltemade's room and forcing the German striker deep. However, with defender Dedic substituted, the backline was underpowered, and the path was clear for Barnes to show that Gordon is not Howe's only attacking wide player.

Newcastle's double substitution was already proving effective by the time the goalkeeper dispatched a superb long throw in Barnes's path. When Antonio Silva, for once, misread the flight, the winger was away, accelerating into the penalty box before keeping commendable composure to fire a superb shot past Trubin.

After Harvey Barnes slid a low effort through unfortunate Trubin's feet after receiving Gordon's excellent through ball, it was finished. Mourinho had cautioned that Newcastle have several very fast wide attackers, and three goals from a pair of wide men had destroyed his hopes of earning the team's first Champions League points of the season.