🔗 Share this article

As the Benfica manager arrived at Newcastle's stadium and praised Eddie Howe and his players, local fans feared a difficult match. But those fears disappeared thanks to a goal from the winger and two more from substitute the forward, making sure Benfica's new manager did not inflict pain for Howe's team.

Match Flow and Initial Action

The Benfica boss had forecast that the home side would be very physical, but his Benfica players displayed their own combative approach. The visitors clearly delighted in disrupting the Magpies' early attempts to establish a smooth passing tempo.

Compounding the home team's issues, two midfielders, Sandro Tonali and the Brazilian, started as substitutes as they were convalescing from illness and a knock each.

Before kick-off, the coaches exchanged a brief, cool embrace, and it quickly became clear that Mourinho had told his team to quiet the crowd by slowing Newcastle and reducing the intensity at every chance.

Key Moments and Turning Points

Benfica's tactic produced varied outcomes, but when Gordon and his teammates succeeded to break through Benfica's backline, they initially found it hard to create clear chances.

Moreover, Benfica's Belgian winger Lukebakio nearly showed how to finish when, after beating the defender on the ground, he tested Newcastle's keeper with a powerful shot that required an terrific single-hand stop. No wonder the goalkeeper still hopes for an national team return in time for the global tournament.

Yet when the winger hit a further attempt against the woodwork, Newcastle woke up. Murphy shot wide, and Anatoliy Trubin made an excellent close-range save from Bruno Guimaraes before Gordon at last broke the deadlock.

Gordon's blazing pace had caused consternation for the Benfica coach all evening, and he calmly side-footed the opener past Trubin after Murphy's quick cross into the area proved effective.

When the Magpies' hard, pressing game was not anticipated by Benfica, Jacob Murphy, chosen over £55m Anthony Elanga, was available to deliver a ground cross across the face of goal for the winger to polish off.

Second Half and Decisive Changes

Right from the start, the Portuguese team could not be accused of defending deeply and playing for a draw, but now Mourinho's players attacked with total freedom. The winger repeatedly displayed an ability to destabilize Howe's back four, and the Magpies were probably grateful to reset at the break.

The first half concluded with the keeper again rescuing his side by tipping Lukebakio's shot around the goal frame, and as the sides emerged for the next period, the match seemed finely poised.

While Anthony Gordon, evidently boosted by netting his fourth goal in three Champions League games this campaign, played with the zeal of a wide player set to alter the balance in Newcastle's direction, the Benfica attacker had other ideas.

The manager's No 11 had previously emphasized that, while Burn is a fine central defender, he is not a born full-back, and Newcastle fans were nervous every time he advanced.

Howe might have felt easier had Miley, deputising for Sandro Tonali, not directed a set-piece over the bar from a good position. Instead, this thrilling contest continued to swing from one goal to the other, prompting the coach to introduce the midfielder and Harvey Barnes in place of Ramsey and Jacob Murphy.

Mourinho, at the same time, brought on an additional striker in Franjo Ivanovic. This would arguably prove a gamble that backfired.

Barnes Wins the Match

Before that, Benfica, and in particular their Portuguese back Silva, had performed a fine job in limiting Nick Woltemade's room and forcing the German striker back. However, with right-back Amar Dedic substituted, the defense was weakened, and the path was clear for Barnes to prove that Gordon is not Howe's only goal-scoring winger.

The home side's two changes was already paying off by the time Pope sent a superb throw in the substitute's direction. When Antonio Silva, on this occasion, misjudged the flight, the winger was clear, sprinting into the area before maintaining commendable composure to fire a sublime strike past the keeper.

When Harvey Barnes rolled a shot through poor the goalkeeper's legs after receiving Anthony Gordon's excellent pass, it was all over. Mourinho had cautioned that the Magpies have four very fast wide attackers, and three goals from a pair of wingers had shattered his chances of securing Benfica's first European points of the campaign.