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As Jose Mourinho arrived at Newcastle's stadium and complimented Eddie Howe and his squad, home fans were concerned about a tough match. But those worries disappeared due to a strike from Anthony Gordon and a brace from replacement the forward, making sure the visitors' new manager did not inflict any trouble for Newcastle.

Game Dynamics and Initial Exchanges

Mourinho had forecast that Newcastle would be extremely aggressive, but his own team displayed their similar aggressive style. Benfica clearly enjoyed breaking up Newcastle's early efforts to build a fluent passing tempo.

Compounding Newcastle's challenges, two midfielders, Tonali and the Brazilian, started as substitutes as they continued convalescing from sickness and a knock each.

Prior to the start, the two managers exchanged a perfunctory, reserved greeting, and it quickly became apparent that Mourinho had instructed his side to subdue the crowd by delaying the game and reducing the intensity at every chance.

Critical Events and Turning Points

Benfica's tactic yielded varied results, but when Gordon and the Newcastle attack managed to dismantle Benfica's backline, they at first struggled to generate good chances.

Moreover, the Belgium attacker Lukebakio almost showed scoring skill when, after beating the defender behind, he forced Nick Pope with a tremendous strike that got an terrific single-hand stop. It's no surprise the goalkeeper retains hope for an national team recall in time for the World Cup.

But when the winger hit a further shot off the post, Newcastle woke up. Jacob Murphy shot wide, and Anatoliy Trubin made an impressive close-range save from Bruno Guimaraes before Anthony Gordon at last broke the scoreless tie.

The England winger's scorching speed had caused consternation for Mourinho all night, and he neatly side-footed the first goal past Trubin after his teammate's early cross into the box proved effective.

When Newcastle's hard, high press was not anticipated by the opposition, Murphy, chosen over £55m Anthony Elanga, was available to pass a ground cross across the goal for the winger to finish.

Later Stages and Match-Winning Substitutions

From the beginning, the Portuguese team could not be accused of parking the bus and seeking a point, but now Mourinho's side pushed forward with real abandon. The winger consistently displayed an skill to destabilize Newcastle's defense, and the home team were probably grateful to reset at the break.

The first half concluded with Pope once more saving his side by diverting the attacker's shot around the post, and as the teams came out for the next period, the match seemed evenly poised.

If Anthony Gordon, clearly boosted by netting his fourth strike in three European appearances this season, played with the zeal of a winger aiming to shift the power balance in Newcastle's favor, the Benfica attacker had different plans.

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

Howe might have relaxed had Miley, deputising for Tonali, not headed a corner over the crossbar from a well-placed spot. Instead, this absorbing contest continued to move from one goal to the other, prompting the manager to introduce Joelinton and Harvey Barnes in place of Ramsey and Jacob Murphy.

Mourinho, at the same time, threw on an additional striker in Franjo Ivanovic. It would perhaps prove a risk too far.

Harvey Barnes Wins the Match

Before that, Benfica, and in particular their Portugal defender Antonio Silva, had done a fine job in limiting Woltemade's space and pushing the German striker deep. However, with defender Dedic off, the defense was underpowered, and the way was open for Barnes to show that Gordon is not Howe's only attacking wide player.

Newcastle's two changes was already paying off by the time the goalkeeper dispatched a superb long throw in the substitute's path. When Antonio Silva, for once, misjudged the flight, the winger was clear, accelerating into the area before keeping impressive composure to fire a superb shot past the keeper.

When Harvey Barnes slid a low effort through poor the goalkeeper's legs after receiving Gordon's stellar through ball, it was all over. Mourinho had warned that Newcastle have several quick wide attackers, and three goals from a pair of wide men had shattered his hopes of securing Benfica's first European result of the season.