🔗 Share this article

When Jose Mourinho arrived at St James' Park and praised Eddie Howe and his squad, home fans feared a tough match. However such worries vanished due to a goal from Anthony Gordon and a brace from replacement the forward, making sure the visitors' coach did not inflict pain for Newcastle.

Match Dynamics and Initial Action

The Benfica boss had forecast that the home side would be very physical, but his own team displayed their own aggressive approach. Benfica clearly enjoyed breaking up Newcastle's initial efforts to build a smooth passing tempo.

Compounding Newcastle's challenges, key midfielders, Tonali and the Brazilian, began on the bench as they continued convalescing from illness and a knock each.

Before kick-off, the two managers shared a brief, reserved embrace, and it quickly became apparent that the Benfica coach had instructed his side to quiet the home fans by slowing the game and lowering the temperature whenever possible.

Critical Events and Decisive Actions

The visitors' tactic produced varied results, but when Anthony Gordon and the Newcastle attack managed to break through the backline, they at first found it hard to create clear opportunities.

Additionally, Benfica's Belgian attacker Dodi Lukebakio almost demonstrated scoring skill when, after leaving Dan Burn behind, he tested Newcastle's keeper with a tremendous strike that required an excellent single-hand stop. It's no surprise the goalkeeper still hopes for an national team recall in time for the global tournament.

But when Lukebakio directed a further shot against the post, the home side roused themselves. Murphy fired off target, and Anatoliy Trubin made an excellent near-post stop from Bruno Guimaraes before Anthony Gordon at last broke the deadlock.

The England winger's scorching pace had created problems for the Benfica coach all night, and he calmly slotted the first goal past the goalkeeper after his teammate's quick ball into the area paid off.

When the Magpies' hard, high press was not second-guessed by Benfica, Murphy, preferred over £55m Anthony Elanga, was available to pass a ground ball across the goal for Gordon to polish off.

Later Stages and Match-Winning Changes

From the beginning, the Portuguese team could not be accused of defending deeply and playing for a draw, but now Mourinho's side pushed forward with total freedom. The winger consistently showed an ability to destabilize Howe's defense, and the Magpies were likely grateful to regroup at the break.

The opening period concluded with Pope again saving his team by tipping the attacker's left-foot around the goal frame, and as the teams emerged for the second half, the match seemed finely balanced.

If Anthony Gordon, clearly buoyed by scoring his fourth goal in three Champions League appearances this season, played with the determination of a wide player set to alter the balance in Newcastle's direction, Lukebakio had other ideas.

Mourinho's No 11 had previously emphasized that, while Dan Burn is a fine central defender, he is not a born full-back, and home fans were in mouths every time Lukebakio advanced.

The Newcastle manager might have felt easier had Lewis Miley, deputising for Tonali, not directed a set-piece above the crossbar from a well-placed spot. Instead, this absorbing contest continued to move from end to end, prompting the coach to bring on Joelinton and Barnes in place of Ramsey and Murphy.

The Benfica boss, at the same time, brought on an extra striker in Ivanovic. It would arguably prove a gamble that backfired.

Barnes Seals the Match

Until then, Benfica, and especially their Portuguese defender Silva, had performed a fine job in limiting Nick Woltemade's room and forcing the German centre-forward deep. But now, with right-back Dedic substituted, the backline was underpowered, and the path was clear for Barnes to prove that Anthony Gordon is not Howe's only attacking wide player.

Newcastle's two changes was already proving effective by the time Pope sent a superb long throw in the substitute's direction. When Silva, for once, misjudged the flight, Barnes was away, sprinting into the area before maintaining commendable poise to fire a superb shot past the keeper.

When Barnes slid a low effort through unfortunate the goalkeeper's feet after receiving Gordon's stellar through ball, it was finished. The Benfica manager had cautioned that Newcastle have several very fast wide attackers, and three goals from two wingers had destroyed his chances of securing Benfica's first European points of the season.