🔗 Share this article

When Jose Mourinho came at Newcastle's stadium and praised Eddie Howe and his players, local supporters feared a tough match. But those worries vanished due to a goal from Anthony Gordon and a brace from substitute the forward, making sure Benfica's coach did not inflict pain for Newcastle.

Game Flow and Early Action

Mourinho had predicted that Newcastle would be extremely aggressive, but his Benfica players showed their own combative approach. Benfica certainly enjoyed breaking up Newcastle's initial efforts to build a fluent passing tempo.

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

Before the start, the coaches shared a perfunctory, cool greeting, and it soon became apparent that Mourinho had instructed his team to quiet the crowd by delaying the game and lowering the temperature whenever possible.

Key Events and Turning Points

Benfica's strategy yielded mixed outcomes, but when Anthony Gordon and his teammates managed to break through the backline, they initially found it hard to create clear chances.

Moreover, Benfica's Belgium winger Lukebakio almost demonstrated how to finish when, after leaving the defender behind, he forced Nick Pope with a powerful strike that got an terrific single-hand stop. It's no surprise the goalkeeper retains hope for an national team return in time for the global tournament.

But when Lukebakio hit another shot off the post, Newcastle roused themselves. Murphy shot off target, and Benfica's keeper made an excellent close-range save from Guimaraes before Anthony Gordon at last broke the deadlock.

Gordon's blazing speed had created consternation for Mourinho all night, and he neatly slotted the first goal past the goalkeeper after Murphy's quick cross into the area paid off.

On the occasion the Magpies' hard, pressing game was not anticipated by Benfica, Jacob Murphy, chosen over £55m Anthony Elanga, was there to deliver a low cross across the face of goal for the winger to polish off.

Later Stages and Decisive Substitutions

From the beginning, Benfica could not be blamed of parking the bus and seeking a point, but now their side pushed forward with total freedom. The winger repeatedly displayed an skill to destabilize Howe's defense, and the Magpies were likely relieved to regroup at half-time.

The first half concluded with Pope again rescuing his team by tipping the attacker's shot wide of the goal frame, and as the sides emerged for the second half, everything seemed finely poised.

While Anthony Gordon, clearly buoyed by netting his fourth strike in three Champions League appearances this campaign, played with the determination of a winger aiming to alter the balance in his team's favor, the Benfica attacker had other ideas.

Mourinho's winger had already 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 advanced.

Howe might have relaxed had Lewis Miley, deputising for Sandro Tonali, not directed a set-piece above the crossbar from a well-placed spot. Rather, this thrilling contest continued to swing from one goal to the other, persuading the coach to bring on the midfielder and Barnes in place of Ramsey and Murphy.

The Benfica boss, meanwhile, threw on an additional striker in Ivanovic. It would perhaps prove a gamble too far.

Harvey Barnes Wins the Game

Until then, the away team, and in particular their Portugal defender Silva, had done a good job in restricting Nick Woltemade's space and pushing Newcastle's Germany striker back. But now, with right-back Amar Dedic substituted, the backline was underpowered, and the path was clear for Barnes to prove that Gordon is not the manager's only goal-scoring wide player.

The home side's double substitution was already paying off by the time Pope sent a superb throw in the substitute's direction. When Antonio Silva, on this occasion, misjudged the flight, Barnes was clear, sprinting into the area before keeping commendable poise to lash a sublime strike past Trubin.

When Harvey Barnes slid a shot through poor the goalkeeper's legs after meeting Anthony Gordon's excellent pass, it was finished. Mourinho had cautioned that Newcastle have several quick wingers, and three goals from two wide men had shattered his hopes of securing Benfica's first Champions League points of the campaign.