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As the Benfica manager arrived at St James' Park and complimented Newcastle's coach and his players, local fans feared a tough match. However those worries disappeared thanks to a strike from the winger and a brace from replacement Harvey Barnes, making sure the visitors' new manager did not inflict any trouble for Newcastle.

Match Dynamics and Initial Action

The Benfica boss had forecast that Newcastle would be very physical, but his own team showed their similar combative approach. The visitors certainly delighted in breaking up the Magpies' early efforts to establish a smooth attacking tempo.

Adding to Newcastle's issues, key midfielders, Sandro Tonali and the Brazilian, started as substitutes as they continued recovering from sickness and injury respectively.

Prior to the start, the two managers shared a perfunctory, reserved embrace, and it quickly became apparent that the Benfica coach had instructed his side to quiet the home fans by delaying Newcastle and lowering the intensity whenever possible.

Key Events and Turning Points

The visitors' strategy yielded mixed results, but when Anthony Gordon and the Newcastle attack managed to dismantle Benfica's backline, they initially struggled to create good opportunities.

Additionally, Benfica's Belgian attacker Lukebakio nearly demonstrated how to finish when, after beating the defender behind, he tested Newcastle's keeper with a tremendous strike that got an excellent single-hand stop. It's no surprise Pope still hopes for an national team return in time for the global tournament.

But when Lukebakio hit a further attempt against the post, the home side woke up. Murphy fired wide, and Anatoliy Trubin made an excellent near-post stop from Bruno Guimaraes before Anthony Gordon at last opened the scoreless tie.

The England winger's blazing speed had created consternation for the Benfica coach all night, and he calmly side-footed the opener past the goalkeeper after his teammate's quick cross into the area paid off.

When Newcastle's intense, pressing game was not anticipated by Benfica, Jacob Murphy, preferred over £55m Anthony Elanga, was available to deliver a low ball across the face of goal for Gordon to polish off.

Later Stages and Match-Winning Changes

From the beginning, Benfica could not be blamed of parking the bus and playing for a draw, but now Mourinho's players pushed forward with total abandon. Lukebakio consistently displayed an ability to destabilize Howe's defense, and the home team were likely relieved to regroup at half-time.

The first half ended with Pope again rescuing his side by diverting Lukebakio's shot wide of the post, and as the sides came out for the second half, the match seemed finely balanced.

If Anthony Gordon, evidently boosted by netting his fourth strike in three Champions League appearances this season, played with the zeal of a wide player set to alter the balance in his team's direction, Lukebakio had other plans.

Mourinho's No 11 had already shown that, while Dan Burn is a fine central defender, he is not a natural left-back, and Newcastle hearts were in mouths every time he moved forward.

Howe might have felt easier had Miley, deputising for Tonali, not headed a set-piece above the bar from a good position. Rather, this thrilling game continued to swing from end to end, prompting Newcastle's coach to introduce Joelinton and Harvey Barnes in place of Ramsey and Jacob Murphy.

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

Barnes Seals the Game

Before that, the away team, and especially their Portugal defender Antonio Silva, had done a good job in limiting Nick Woltemade's space and pushing the German centre-forward deep. But now, with right-back Amar Dedic off, the defense was underpowered, and the way was clear for Harvey Barnes to prove that Gordon is not the manager's only attacking winger.

The home side's two changes was already paying off by the time Pope sent a wonderful throw in the substitute's path. When Silva, on this occasion, misjudged the flight, the winger was clear, accelerating into the penalty box before keeping commendable composure to fire a superb strike past the keeper.

When Barnes rolled a shot through poor Trubin's legs after receiving Gordon's excellent through ball, it was all over. The Benfica manager had cautioned that the Magpies have several quick wingers, and three goals from a pair of wide men had shattered his chances of securing the team's first European result of the season.