🔗 Share this article

When Jose Mourinho arrived at Newcastle's stadium and complimented Newcastle's coach and his squad, local fans feared a tough match. But such worries vanished due to a goal from the winger and two more from replacement the forward, ensuring Benfica's coach would not cause any trouble for Newcastle.

Game Dynamics and Early Action

Mourinho had forecast that Newcastle would be very physical, but his Benfica players displayed their similar combative style. Benfica certainly delighted in disrupting the Magpies' early attempts to establish a fluent passing tempo.

Compounding the home team's challenges, key players, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton, began as substitutes as they were recovering from illness and injury each.

Prior to kick-off, the coaches shared a perfunctory, reserved greeting, and it quickly became clear that Mourinho had told his side to quiet the crowd by delaying the game and reducing the intensity whenever possible.

Critical Moments and Turning Points

Benfica's strategy produced varied results, but when Gordon and his teammates managed to dismantle Benfica's backline, they initially found it hard to create clear chances.

Additionally, the Belgian attacker Dodi Lukebakio nearly showed scoring skill when, after leaving the defender behind, he forced Nick Pope with a powerful shot that required an terrific single-hand stop. No wonder Pope still hopes for an national team recall in time for the World Cup.

Yet when the winger directed a further attempt off the woodwork, Newcastle roused themselves. Jacob Murphy fired off target, and Benfica's keeper made an excellent near-post save from Guimaraes before Anthony Gordon at last opened the scoreless tie.

Gordon's blazing pace had caused consternation for the Benfica coach all evening, and he calmly side-footed the first goal past the goalkeeper after Murphy's early cross into the area paid off.

When Newcastle's intense, high press was not second-guessed by the opposition, Murphy, preferred over the expensive signing, was there to pass a ground cross across the face of goal for Gordon to polish off.

Later Stages and Decisive Substitutions

From the beginning, Benfica could not be blamed of defending deeply and seeking a point, but now Mourinho's side pushed forward with total abandon. Lukebakio consistently showed an skill to unsettle Newcastle's back four, and the home team were likely relieved to reset at the break.

The first half ended with the keeper again saving his team by tipping Lukebakio's shot wide of the goal frame, and as the sides emerged for the next period, the match seemed evenly balanced.

If Gordon, clearly boosted by netting his fourth strike in three European games this season, played with the zeal of a wide player aiming to alter the power balance in his team's favor, Lukebakio had other ideas.

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

Howe might have felt easier had Lewis Miley, filling in for Tonali, not directed a corner over the bar from a good spot. Instead, this absorbing contest continued to move from one goal to the other, persuading Newcastle's coach to bring on the midfielder and Barnes in place of Jacob Ramsey and Murphy.

Mourinho, meanwhile, threw on an extra striker in Franjo Ivanovic. This would perhaps prove a gamble that backfired.

Harvey Barnes Wins the Match

Before that, the away team, and in particular their Portuguese back Silva, had done a good job in limiting Woltemade's room and pushing the Germany striker back. But now, with right-back Amar Dedic off, the backline was underpowered, and the path was open for Harvey Barnes to prove that Anthony Gordon is not the manager's only goal-scoring wide player.

Newcastle's double substitution was already proving effective by the time Pope sent a wonderful long throw in the substitute's path. When Silva, on this occasion, misjudged the flight, the winger was clear, sprinting into the penalty box before keeping impressive composure to fire a sublime shot past the keeper.

When Harvey Barnes rolled a low effort through unfortunate Trubin's feet after meeting Gordon's excellent through ball, it was all over. The Benfica manager had warned that Newcastle have four quick wide attackers, and three goals from a pair of wide men had destroyed his chances of securing the team's first European result of the season.