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When Jose Mourinho arrived at St James' Park and complimented Eddie Howe and his squad, home fans feared a tough game. However such fears vanished thanks to a goal from the winger and two more from substitute the forward, making sure Benfica's coach did not inflict pain for Howe's team.

Game Dynamics and Early Exchanges

The Benfica boss had predicted that the home side would be very physical, but his Benfica players showed their own aggressive style. The visitors certainly enjoyed disrupting Newcastle's early efforts to build a smooth attacking tempo.

Adding to Newcastle's challenges, two players, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton, began on the bench as they were convalescing from sickness and injury respectively.

Before the start, the two managers shared a brief, cool greeting, and it quickly became clear that the Benfica coach had instructed his team to quiet the home fans by delaying the game and lowering the temperature at every chance.

Critical Moments and Decisive Actions

Benfica's tactic produced mixed outcomes, but when Gordon and the Newcastle attack managed to break through Benfica's defensive barricades, they initially struggled to generate clear opportunities.

Moreover, the Belgian winger Dodi Lukebakio nearly demonstrated how to finish when, after beating the defender behind, he tested Newcastle's keeper with a powerful strike that required an excellent one-handed save. No wonder the goalkeeper still hopes for an England return in time for the global tournament.

But when Lukebakio directed a further attempt off the post, the home side woke up. Jacob Murphy shot wide, and Anatoliy Trubin made an impressive near-post stop from Guimaraes before Gordon finally broke the deadlock.

Gordon's blazing speed had caused problems for Mourinho all evening, and he neatly slotted the first goal past Trubin after Murphy's quick ball into the box paid off.

When Newcastle's intense, pressing game was not second-guessed by Benfica, Jacob Murphy, preferred over the expensive signing, was there to deliver a ground cross across the face of goal for Gordon to finish.

Second Half and Match-Winning Substitutions

Right from the start, the Portuguese team could not be accused of parking the bus and playing for a draw, but now Mourinho's players attacked with real freedom. Lukebakio consistently showed an ability to destabilize Howe's defense, and the Magpies were likely grateful to reset at half-time.

The first half concluded with Pope once more rescuing his team by tipping the attacker's shot wide of the goal frame, and as the teams came out for the next period, the match seemed finely balanced.

While Anthony Gordon, evidently buoyed by scoring his fourth strike in three European appearances this campaign, played with the determination of a wide player set to shift the balance in his team's favor, the Benfica attacker had other plans.

Mourinho's winger had previously emphasized that, while Dan Burn is a capable centre-back, he is not a born left-back, and Newcastle fans were nervous every time he advanced.

The Newcastle manager might have relaxed had Lewis Miley, deputising for Tonali, not headed a set-piece over the crossbar from a well-placed position. Instead, this absorbing game continued to swing from one goal to the other, prompting the manager to bring on the midfielder and Harvey Barnes in place of Ramsey and Murphy.

Mourinho, meanwhile, brought on an extra striker in Ivanovic. It would arguably prove a gamble that backfired.

Barnes Wins the Game

Before that, Benfica, and especially their Portuguese back Silva, had done a fine job in limiting Nick Woltemade's room and forcing the Germany striker deep. But now, with right-back Dedic off, the defense was weakened, and the way was open for Harvey Barnes to prove that Anthony Gordon is not Howe's only attacking wide player.

The home side's two changes was already paying off by the time the goalkeeper dispatched a superb throw in Barnes's path. When Antonio Silva, for once, misjudged the flight, the winger was away, sprinting into the penalty box before maintaining impressive poise to lash a sublime shot past Trubin.

When Harvey Barnes rolled a low effort through unfortunate Trubin's feet after receiving Anthony Gordon's excellent through ball, it was finished. The Benfica manager had cautioned that Newcastle have four quick wide attackers, and three goals from two wingers had destroyed his hopes of securing the team's first Champions League result of the campaign.