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When the Benfica manager came at Newcastle's stadium and complimented Eddie Howe and his squad, home fans feared a tough game. But such fears disappeared thanks to a goal from Anthony Gordon and a brace from substitute Harvey Barnes, ensuring the visitors' coach did not inflict pain for Newcastle.

Match Dynamics and Early Action

Mourinho had forecast that the home side would be very physical, but his own team displayed their own aggressive approach. Benfica clearly enjoyed disrupting Newcastle's early attempts to build a smooth attacking rhythm.

Adding to the home team's issues, two players, Sandro Tonali and the Brazilian, started as substitutes as they continued convalescing from illness and injury respectively.

Before the start, the coaches shared a brief, reserved greeting, and it quickly became clear that Mourinho had told his team to quiet the crowd by slowing the game and reducing the temperature whenever possible.

Critical Events and Turning Points

The visitors' strategy produced varied outcomes, but when Anthony Gordon and his teammates managed to dismantle Benfica's backline, they initially struggled to create good opportunities.

Additionally, Benfica's Belgium attacker Dodi Lukebakio almost demonstrated how to finish when, after beating Dan Burn on the ground, he forced Nick Pope with a powerful strike that got an excellent single-hand save. No wonder the goalkeeper retains hope for an national team recall in time for the World Cup.

Yet when Lukebakio hit a further attempt against the woodwork, the home side woke up. Murphy fired wide, and Benfica's keeper made an excellent near-post save from Bruno Guimaraes before Gordon finally broke the scoreless tie.

The England winger's blazing speed had created consternation for the Benfica coach all night, and he neatly slotted the opener past the goalkeeper after Murphy's quick ball into the area paid off.

When Newcastle's intense, pressing game was not anticipated by Benfica, Jacob Murphy, chosen over £55m Anthony Elanga, was there to pass a low cross across the goal for Gordon to polish off.

Later Stages and Match-Winning Changes

From the beginning, the Portuguese team could not be blamed of parking the bus and playing for a draw, but now their players pushed forward with real freedom. Lukebakio repeatedly displayed an ability to unsettle Newcastle's back four, and the Magpies were likely relieved to regroup at half-time.

The first half ended with Pope again saving his team by tipping Lukebakio's left-foot around the goal frame, and as the teams came out for the second half, everything seemed evenly balanced.

While Anthony Gordon, evidently buoyed by scoring 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, the Benfica attacker had other plans.

The manager's No 11 had already emphasized that, while Burn is a fine central defender, he is not a natural full-back, and Newcastle hearts were nervous every time Lukebakio advanced.

Howe might have felt easier had Lewis Miley, filling in for Tonali, not headed a set-piece above the bar from a well-placed spot. Instead, this thrilling game continued to swing from end to end, persuading the coach to bring on the midfielder and Barnes in place of Ramsey and Jacob Murphy.

The Benfica boss, meanwhile, threw on an additional striker in Franjo Ivanovic. This would arguably prove a gamble that backfired.

Harvey Barnes Seals the Game

Until then, the away team, and especially their Portugal back Antonio Silva, had performed a fine job in restricting Nick Woltemade's space and pushing the Germany striker back. But now, with right-back Amar Dedic off, the defense was underpowered, and the path was clear for Barnes to prove that Gordon is not Howe's only attacking winger.

Newcastle's two changes was already paying off by the time Pope dispatched a wonderful throw in the substitute's path. When Antonio Silva, on this occasion, misjudged the flight, the winger was clear, sprinting into the penalty box before maintaining impressive composure to fire a superb shot past the keeper.

After Harvey Barnes slid a low effort through unfortunate the goalkeeper's feet after meeting Gordon's stellar pass, it was all over. Mourinho had warned that the Magpies have several quick wide attackers, and three goals from a pair of wingers had shattered his chances of earning Benfica's first European result of the campaign.