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When the Benfica manager arrived at Newcastle's stadium and complimented Newcastle's coach and his squad, local supporters were concerned about a difficult game. But those worries vanished thanks to a goal from the winger and a brace from substitute the forward, making sure the visitors' new manager would not cause any trouble for Newcastle.

Match Flow and Initial Exchanges

Mourinho had forecast that Newcastle would be very physical, but his Benfica players displayed their similar combative approach. The visitors certainly delighted in breaking up Newcastle's early efforts to establish a smooth passing tempo.

Compounding Newcastle's challenges, two midfielders, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton, began as substitutes as they continued convalescing from sickness and injury each.

Before kick-off, the two managers shared a brief, reserved greeting, and it quickly became clear that Mourinho had instructed his team to subdue the crowd by slowing Newcastle and lowering the intensity at every chance.

Key Events and Turning Points

The visitors' tactic yielded varied outcomes, but when Anthony Gordon and his teammates succeeded to dismantle Benfica's defensive barricades, they at first struggled to generate clear opportunities.

Moreover, Benfica's Belgian attacker Dodi Lukebakio nearly showed how to finish when, after beating the defender behind, he forced Nick Pope with a tremendous strike that got an excellent single-hand save. No wonder the goalkeeper retains hope for an England return in time for the global tournament.

Yet when Lukebakio hit another attempt off the post, the home side woke up. Murphy fired wide, and Anatoliy Trubin made an impressive near-post save from Bruno Guimaraes before Gordon at last opened the scoreless tie.

The England winger's blazing speed had created consternation for Mourinho all evening, and he neatly slotted the first goal past the goalkeeper after Murphy's quick ball into the box proved effective.

On the occasion the Magpies' hard, pressing game was not anticipated by the opposition, Murphy, preferred over the expensive signing, was available to pass a ground cross across the face of goal for the winger to finish.

Second Half and Match-Winning Changes

From the beginning, Benfica could not be blamed of defending deeply and playing for a draw, but now their side pushed forward with real freedom. Lukebakio repeatedly showed an skill to destabilize Newcastle's defense, and the Magpies were probably grateful to reset at half-time.

The first half ended with Pope once more rescuing his side by diverting Lukebakio's left-foot wide of the goal frame, and as the sides emerged for the second half, everything seemed evenly poised.

If Gordon, evidently buoyed by netting his fourth goal in three Champions League games this campaign, played with the zeal of a winger set to shift the power balance in Newcastle's direction, the Benfica attacker had different plans.

Mourinho's winger had previously shown that, while Dan Burn is a fine centre-back, he is not a natural full-back, and Newcastle hearts were nervous every time Lukebakio moved forward.

The Newcastle manager might have felt easier had Lewis Miley, filling in for Sandro Tonali, not headed a corner above the bar from a good spot. Rather, this thrilling contest continued to swing from end to end, prompting Newcastle's coach to introduce the midfielder and Harvey Barnes in place of Ramsey and Jacob Murphy.

Mourinho, meanwhile, brought on an extra forward in Franjo Ivanovic. This would arguably prove a gamble too far.

Harvey Barnes Wins the Game

Until then, the away team, and in particular their Portugal back Silva, had performed a fine job in restricting Woltemade's space and pushing the Germany centre-forward back. However, with defender Dedic off, the defense was weakened, and the way was open for Barnes to prove that Gordon is not the manager's only attacking winger.

Newcastle's two changes was already paying off by the time the goalkeeper sent a superb long throw in Barnes's path. When Antonio Silva, on this occasion, misjudged the flight, the winger was clear, accelerating into the penalty box before keeping commendable poise to lash a superb strike past the keeper.

After Barnes slid a shot through poor Trubin's legs after receiving Anthony Gordon's excellent pass, it was finished. Mourinho had cautioned that Newcastle have several quick wingers, and three goals from two wingers had destroyed his chances of securing Benfica's first Champions League result of the campaign.