🔗 Share this article

When the Benfica manager arrived at St James' Park and praised Newcastle's coach and his squad, local fans feared a tough game. But those fears disappeared thanks to a strike from Anthony Gordon and two more from substitute the forward, making sure Benfica's new manager did not inflict pain for Newcastle.

Match Dynamics and Early Action

Mourinho had forecast that the home side would be extremely aggressive, but his own team showed their similar combative style. Benfica clearly delighted in breaking up the Magpies' early efforts to establish a fluent passing tempo.

Adding to Newcastle's challenges, two players, Tonali and Joelinton, started on the bench as they were convalescing from illness and a knock respectively.

Prior to kick-off, the coaches exchanged a brief, cool embrace, and it quickly became clear that Mourinho had instructed his side to subdue the crowd by slowing Newcastle and reducing the temperature whenever possible.

Critical Events and Turning Points

The visitors' tactic produced varied results, but when Anthony Gordon and his teammates succeeded to break through the defensive barricades, they at first struggled to create clear chances.

Moreover, Benfica's Belgian winger Dodi Lukebakio almost demonstrated how to finish when, after leaving Dan Burn on the ground, he tested Nick Pope with a tremendous shot that got an terrific single-hand stop. It's no surprise the goalkeeper retains hope for an national team return in time for the global tournament.

Yet when Lukebakio directed a further shot off the woodwork, Newcastle woke up. Jacob Murphy shot off target, and Anatoliy Trubin made an impressive near-post save from Bruno Guimaraes before Gordon finally opened the scoreless tie.

The England winger's blazing speed had created consternation for Mourinho all night, and he calmly slotted the opener past Trubin after his teammate's early cross into the area paid off.

When the Magpies' intense, pressing game was not anticipated by Benfica, Jacob Murphy, chosen over the expensive signing, was there to deliver a low ball across the face of goal for the winger to finish.

Later Stages and Match-Winning Changes

From the beginning, Benfica could not be accused of parking the bus and playing for a draw, but now their side pushed forward with real freedom. The winger consistently showed an ability to unsettle Howe's defense, and the home team were likely relieved to reset at half-time.

The opening period ended with the keeper once more rescuing his team by diverting Lukebakio's shot around the post, and as the sides came out for the second half, the match seemed finely poised.

If Gordon, clearly buoyed by netting his fourth strike in three European appearances this campaign, played with the determination of a winger set to shift the balance in Newcastle's favor, Lukebakio had different 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 home hearts were nervous every time he moved forward.

Howe might have relaxed had Miley, filling in for Sandro Tonali, not headed a corner above the bar from a well-placed position. Instead, this thrilling game continued to move from one goal to the other, prompting the manager to introduce the midfielder and Barnes in place of Jacob Ramsey and Murphy.

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

Barnes Seals the Match

Until then, Benfica, and in particular their Portugal back Silva, had done a good job in limiting Nick Woltemade's space and forcing the Germany striker deep. But now, with defender Dedic substituted, the backline was underpowered, and the path was clear for Harvey Barnes to prove that Gordon is not Howe's only goal-scoring winger.

Newcastle's double substitution was already proving effective by the time the goalkeeper sent a superb long throw in Barnes's path. When Silva, for once, misjudged the flight, the winger was away, sprinting into the penalty box before maintaining commendable composure to fire a sublime strike past the keeper.

When Barnes rolled a low effort through unfortunate Trubin's legs after meeting Anthony Gordon's stellar through ball, it was all over. The Benfica manager had warned that the Magpies have several quick wingers, and a trio of strikes from two wide men had destroyed his hopes of earning Benfica's first European result of the season.