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When Jose Mourinho came at Newcastle's stadium and complimented Eddie Howe and his squad, home fans feared a tough game. But those worries vanished due to a goal from the winger and two more from replacement Harvey Barnes, making sure Benfica's coach did not inflict pain for Newcastle.

Game Dynamics and Initial Action

The Benfica boss had forecast that the home side would be extremely aggressive, but his Benfica players displayed their own combative style. The visitors clearly delighted in disrupting the Magpies' initial efforts to build a smooth attacking rhythm.

Compounding the home team's issues, two players, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton, started as substitutes as they continued recovering from sickness and a knock each.

Before the start, the coaches exchanged a perfunctory, reserved embrace, and it soon became apparent that Mourinho had instructed his side to quiet the home fans by slowing Newcastle and lowering the intensity whenever possible.

Critical Moments and Turning Points

Benfica's strategy produced mixed outcomes, but when Anthony Gordon and his teammates succeeded to dismantle Benfica's backline, they at first found it hard to create clear chances.

Additionally, the Belgium attacker Lukebakio nearly showed scoring skill when, after leaving the defender on the ground, he tested Newcastle's keeper with a powerful shot that got an excellent single-hand stop. No wonder the goalkeeper retains hope for an England return in time for the World Cup.

But when Lukebakio hit a further attempt against the woodwork, Newcastle roused themselves. Jacob Murphy shot wide, and Benfica's keeper made an impressive close-range stop from Bruno Guimaraes before Gordon at last opened the scoreless tie.

Gordon's scorching speed had created consternation for the Benfica coach all night, and he neatly slotted the first goal past Trubin after his teammate's quick ball into the area paid off.

On the occasion the Magpies' intense, high press was not second-guessed by the opposition, Jacob Murphy, chosen over £55m Anthony Elanga, was available to pass a ground ball across the goal for the winger to finish.

Later Stages and Match-Winning Substitutions

From the beginning, the Portuguese team could not be blamed of parking the bus and seeking a point, but now Mourinho's side attacked with real abandon. Lukebakio repeatedly displayed an skill to destabilize Newcastle's defense, and the home team were likely relieved to regroup at half-time.

The opening period ended with the keeper again rescuing his team by diverting Lukebakio's shot around the post, and as the teams came out for the next period, the match seemed finely poised.

While Anthony Gordon, clearly boosted by scoring his fourth goal in three European games this campaign, played with the zeal of a winger set to alter the power balance in Newcastle's favor, Lukebakio had different plans.

Mourinho's winger had previously shown that, while Burn is a fine central defender, he is not a natural left-back, and home fans were nervous every time he advanced.

Howe might have relaxed had Lewis Miley, deputising for Sandro Tonali, not headed a set-piece above the bar from a well-placed spot. Rather, this thrilling contest continued to swing from one goal to the other, persuading the manager to introduce Joelinton and Harvey Barnes in place of Ramsey and Jacob Murphy.

The Benfica boss, at the same time, threw on an additional striker in Franjo Ivanovic. This would perhaps prove a gamble that backfired.

Harvey Barnes Wins the Game

Until then, Benfica, and in particular their Portugal defender Antonio Silva, had performed a fine job in limiting Woltemade's room and forcing the Germany striker deep. However, with defender Amar Dedic substituted, the defense was underpowered, and the path was clear for Barnes to prove that Gordon is not Howe's only attacking winger.

Newcastle's double substitution was already paying off by the time Pope sent a superb long throw in the substitute's direction. When Silva, on this occasion, misjudged the bounce, the winger was away, sprinting into the area before keeping commendable composure to fire a superb strike past Trubin.

When Barnes rolled a low effort through unfortunate Trubin's legs after meeting Anthony Gordon's stellar through ball, it was finished. The Benfica manager had warned that the Magpies have several quick wingers, and three goals from a pair of wide men had shattered his hopes of earning Benfica's first European points of the campaign.