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When Jose Mourinho arrived at Newcastle's stadium and complimented Newcastle's coach and his squad, local fans were concerned about a tough game. But those worries disappeared thanks to a goal from the winger and a brace from substitute Harvey Barnes, ensuring Benfica's coach did not inflict pain for Howe's team.

Game Dynamics and Early Exchanges

The Benfica boss had forecast that the home side would be extremely aggressive, but his Benfica players displayed their own aggressive style. The visitors certainly delighted in breaking up the Magpies' early attempts to establish a fluent passing rhythm.

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

Before kick-off, the two managers exchanged a brief, reserved greeting, and it soon became apparent that the Benfica coach had told his team to quiet the crowd by slowing the game and lowering the temperature at every chance.

Critical Moments and Turning Points

Benfica's strategy produced mixed outcomes, but when Anthony Gordon and the Newcastle attack succeeded to break through Benfica's defensive barricades, they at first struggled to create clear opportunities.

Moreover, the Belgian winger Dodi Lukebakio almost demonstrated scoring skill when, after beating Dan Burn behind, he tested Nick Pope with a tremendous shot that required an terrific single-hand save. No wonder Pope retains hope for an England return in time for the World Cup.

But when the winger directed another attempt off the woodwork, the home side woke up. Murphy fired off target, and Anatoliy Trubin made an excellent close-range save from Bruno Guimaraes before Gordon at last broke the scoreless tie.

Gordon's scorching pace had created consternation for Mourinho all night, and he neatly slotted the first goal past the goalkeeper after his teammate's early cross into the area paid off.

On the occasion Newcastle's intense, pressing game was not second-guessed by Benfica, Murphy, chosen over £55m Anthony Elanga, was there to pass a low cross across the goal for the winger to finish.

Second Half and Decisive Substitutions

Right from the start, Benfica could not be accused of defending deeply and playing for a draw, but now their side attacked with total abandon. The winger repeatedly displayed an ability to unsettle Howe's back four, and the home team were likely grateful to regroup at the break.

The opening period ended with the keeper once more saving his side by tipping the attacker's left-foot around the goal frame, and as the sides came out for the next period, the match seemed finely balanced.

If Gordon, clearly boosted by netting his fourth goal in three European appearances this season, played with the zeal of a winger set to shift the balance in his team's favor, the Benfica attacker had other plans.

The manager's No 11 had previously shown that, while Burn is a capable centre-back, he is not a born left-back, and Newcastle fans were in mouths every time Lukebakio moved forward.

The Newcastle manager might have felt easier had Lewis Miley, filling in for Sandro Tonali, not headed a corner over the bar from a well-placed spot. Instead, this absorbing contest continued to swing from one goal to the other, prompting the coach to introduce the midfielder and Barnes in place of Ramsey and Murphy.

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

Barnes Wins the Game

Before that, Benfica, and especially their Portugal back Silva, had done a fine job in limiting Woltemade's space and forcing Newcastle's Germany striker back. But now, with right-back Amar Dedic off, the backline was underpowered, and the way was open for Barnes to prove that Gordon is not the manager's only attacking winger.

Newcastle's double substitution was already proving effective by the time Pope sent a wonderful throw in the substitute's direction. When Silva, for once, misread the flight, Barnes was clear, accelerating into the penalty box before keeping impressive composure to lash a sublime shot past Trubin.

When Harvey Barnes slid a low effort through unfortunate the goalkeeper's feet after receiving Anthony Gordon's excellent through ball, it was finished. Mourinho had warned that Newcastle have several very fast wingers, and a trio of strikes from two wide men had shattered his chances of earning Benfica's first Champions League points of the season.