🔗 Share this article

When Jose Mourinho came at Newcastle's stadium and complimented Newcastle's coach and his squad, local supporters feared a tough match. However such worries disappeared due to a goal from Anthony Gordon and two more from substitute the forward, ensuring Benfica's new manager did not inflict any trouble for Howe's team.

Game Dynamics and Early Action

Mourinho had predicted that Newcastle would be extremely aggressive, but his own team displayed their own combative style. The visitors certainly delighted in disrupting the Magpies' early attempts to establish a smooth passing rhythm.

Adding to the home team's challenges, two midfielders, Tonali and the Brazilian, began as substitutes as they continued recovering from illness and a knock respectively.

Before kick-off, the two managers exchanged a perfunctory, reserved greeting, and it quickly became clear that Mourinho had told his side to subdue the home fans by delaying the game and reducing the intensity whenever possible.

Critical Moments and Decisive Actions

The visitors' tactic yielded mixed outcomes, but when Gordon and the Newcastle attack managed to break through the backline, they initially struggled to generate clear chances.

Additionally, the Belgium attacker Lukebakio almost demonstrated scoring skill when, after beating Dan Burn behind, he tested Nick Pope with a tremendous strike that required an excellent single-hand stop. No wonder Pope still hopes for an national team return in time for the World Cup.

Yet when the winger directed another shot off the post, the home side roused themselves. Murphy fired wide, and Benfica's keeper made an impressive near-post save from Guimaraes before Gordon finally opened the deadlock.

Gordon's scorching speed had created consternation for Mourinho all night, and he calmly side-footed the first goal past Trubin after his teammate's early ball into the area paid off.

When Newcastle's intense, pressing game was not anticipated by Benfica, Murphy, chosen over the expensive signing, was there to deliver a ground cross across the face of goal for Gordon to polish off.

Later Stages and Match-Winning Substitutions

Right from the start, the Portuguese team could not be blamed of parking the bus and playing for a draw, but now their side attacked with total freedom. Lukebakio repeatedly showed an skill to unsettle Howe's defense, and the Magpies were probably grateful to reset at half-time.

The first half concluded with Pope once more rescuing his side by tipping Lukebakio's left-foot around the post, and as the sides emerged for the second half, the match seemed evenly poised.

While Gordon, clearly buoyed by scoring his fourth strike in three European appearances this campaign, played with the zeal of a wide player aiming to shift the power balance in Newcastle's favor, the Benfica attacker had different plans.

Mourinho's winger had previously emphasized that, while Dan Burn is a capable centre-back, he is not a natural left-back, and Newcastle hearts were in mouths every time Lukebakio moved forward.

Howe might have relaxed had Miley, deputising for Tonali, not headed a set-piece over the bar from a good position. Instead, this absorbing contest continued to swing from end to end, prompting the manager to introduce the midfielder and Barnes in place of Ramsey and Murphy.

Mourinho, meanwhile, brought on an extra striker in Franjo Ivanovic. It would perhaps prove a risk too far.

Barnes Wins the Match

Before that, the away team, and especially their Portugal defender Silva, had done a good job in restricting Nick Woltemade's space and pushing the German centre-forward back. However, with defender Amar Dedic substituted, the backline was weakened, and the path was clear for Harvey Barnes to show that 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 direction. When Silva, for once, misjudged the flight, Barnes was away, accelerating into the penalty box before maintaining impressive composure to fire a superb shot past Trubin.

When Barnes rolled a shot through poor Trubin's feet after meeting Anthony Gordon's stellar through ball, it was all over. The Benfica manager had warned that Newcastle have several quick wingers, and three goals from two wide men had destroyed his chances of earning Benfica's first European result of the season.