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As the Benfica manager arrived at St James' Park and complimented Eddie Howe and his squad, local supporters were concerned about a tough game. But such worries disappeared due to a goal from the winger and a brace from substitute the forward, ensuring the visitors' coach would not cause pain for Howe's team.

Match Dynamics and Initial Action

The Benfica boss had predicted that the home side would be very physical, but his own team showed their own combative style. The visitors certainly enjoyed breaking up Newcastle's initial attempts to build a smooth attacking tempo.

Compounding the home team's challenges, key players, Sandro Tonali and the Brazilian, began on the bench as they continued recovering from sickness and injury respectively.

Prior to the start, the two managers exchanged a brief, cool greeting, and it quickly became clear that Mourinho had told his team to subdue the crowd by slowing Newcastle and lowering the temperature at every chance.

Key Moments and Turning Points

Benfica's strategy yielded varied outcomes, but when Gordon and the Newcastle attack managed to break through Benfica's backline, they initially struggled to generate good chances.

Additionally, Benfica's Belgium winger Dodi Lukebakio nearly showed scoring skill when, after leaving the defender on the ground, he tested Nick Pope with a powerful shot that required an excellent single-hand save. It's no surprise the goalkeeper still hopes for an national team recall in time for the World Cup.

But when Lukebakio directed a further shot off the post, the home side woke up. Jacob Murphy shot wide, and Anatoliy Trubin made an excellent close-range save from Bruno Guimaraes before Gordon finally opened the scoreless tie.

Gordon's scorching pace had caused consternation for the Benfica coach all night, and he calmly slotted the opener past the goalkeeper after his teammate's early cross into the area paid off.

When Newcastle's intense, high press was not second-guessed by Benfica, Jacob Murphy, preferred over the expensive signing, was available to pass a low ball across the goal for Gordon to finish.

Later Stages and Match-Winning Changes

From the beginning, the Portuguese team could not be accused of parking the bus and seeking a point, but now their players attacked with real freedom. The winger repeatedly showed an skill to unsettle Howe's defense, and the home team were probably grateful to reset at half-time.

The opening period concluded with the keeper again rescuing his side by diverting Lukebakio's shot around the goal frame, and as the teams emerged for the next period, the match seemed evenly poised.

If Gordon, evidently buoyed by netting his fourth strike in three European games this campaign, played with the zeal of a wide player set to shift the power balance in his team's favor, the Benfica attacker had other plans.

The manager's No 11 had already emphasized that, while Dan Burn is a capable central defender, he is not a natural full-back, and home hearts were nervous every time Lukebakio advanced.

Howe might have relaxed had Miley, filling in for Sandro Tonali, not headed a corner over the crossbar from a good position. Rather, this thrilling contest continued to move from end to end, persuading Newcastle's manager to introduce the midfielder and Harvey Barnes in place of Ramsey and Jacob Murphy.

The Benfica boss, at the same time, threw on an additional striker in Franjo Ivanovic. This would arguably prove a gamble too far.

Barnes Seals the Game

Until then, Benfica, and especially their Portugal defender Silva, had done a good job in limiting Nick Woltemade's room and pushing Newcastle's German centre-forward deep. However, with right-back Dedic substituted, the backline was underpowered, and the path was clear for Harvey Barnes to prove that Anthony Gordon is not the manager's only attacking winger.

Newcastle's two changes was already proving effective by the time Pope dispatched a wonderful throw in Barnes's path. When Silva, for once, misread the flight, the winger was clear, sprinting into the area before maintaining impressive poise to lash a sublime shot past Trubin.

When Harvey Barnes slid a shot through poor Trubin's feet after receiving Gordon's excellent through ball, it was all over. The Benfica manager had warned that Newcastle have four quick wingers, and a trio of strikes from a pair of wide men had shattered his chances of securing the team's first Champions League result of the season.