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As the Benfica manager came at Newcastle's stadium and complimented Eddie Howe and his players, local fans were concerned about a difficult match. However such fears vanished due to a goal from the winger and a brace from replacement Harvey Barnes, making sure the visitors' coach would not cause any trouble for Newcastle.

Game Dynamics and Initial Action

Mourinho had forecast that the home side would be extremely aggressive, but his Benfica players showed their similar aggressive style. The visitors certainly delighted in breaking up the Magpies' early efforts to build a smooth passing tempo.

Adding to the home team's issues, two players, Tonali and Joelinton, began as substitutes as they were recovering from sickness and a knock each.

Prior to kick-off, the coaches shared a perfunctory, reserved greeting, and it quickly became clear that the Benfica coach had instructed his side to subdue the home fans by delaying the game and lowering the temperature whenever possible.

Key Moments and Decisive Actions

The visitors' tactic produced varied outcomes, but when Anthony Gordon and his teammates succeeded to break through the defensive barricades, they at first found it hard to create good chances.

Additionally, the Belgium winger Dodi Lukebakio almost showed scoring skill when, after beating the defender behind, he forced Newcastle's keeper with a powerful shot that required an terrific 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 shot off the woodwork, Newcastle roused themselves. Jacob Murphy shot off target, and Anatoliy Trubin made an impressive near-post stop from Guimaraes before Anthony Gordon finally broke the deadlock.

The England winger's blazing pace had caused problems for the Benfica coach all evening, and he calmly side-footed the first goal past the goalkeeper after his teammate's early cross into the area proved effective.

On the occasion the Magpies' hard, pressing game was not anticipated by the opposition, Murphy, chosen over £55m Anthony Elanga, was available to pass a low cross across the face of goal for Gordon to polish off.

Second Half and Match-Winning Substitutions

From the beginning, Benfica could not be blamed of parking the bus and playing for a draw, but now their players attacked with total freedom. The winger consistently showed an ability to destabilize Newcastle's back four, and the Magpies were likely relieved to reset at the break.

The opening period concluded with the keeper once more rescuing his team by diverting the attacker's shot around the post, and as the sides emerged for the second half, the match seemed evenly poised.

While Anthony Gordon, evidently boosted by netting his fourth goal in three Champions League games this season, played with the determination of a winger set to shift the power balance in Newcastle's direction, Lukebakio had other plans.

Mourinho's winger had already shown that, while Burn is a capable central defender, he is not a born full-back, and Newcastle fans were nervous every time Lukebakio moved forward.

Howe might have relaxed had Miley, filling in for Sandro Tonali, not directed a set-piece above the bar from a good spot. Rather, this thrilling game continued to move from end to end, prompting Newcastle's coach to introduce Joelinton and Barnes in place of Jacob Ramsey and Jacob Murphy.

The Benfica boss, at the same time, brought on an extra forward in Franjo Ivanovic. It would arguably prove a risk too far.

Barnes Wins the Game

Until then, Benfica, and especially their Portuguese back Silva, had performed a good job in limiting Woltemade's room and forcing the German centre-forward back. However, with defender Amar Dedic off, the backline was weakened, and the path was open for Harvey Barnes to show that Gordon is not the manager's only goal-scoring winger.

Newcastle's double substitution was already proving effective by the time Pope sent a superb long throw in the substitute's path. When Silva, on this occasion, misjudged the flight, the winger was clear, sprinting into the area before maintaining impressive poise to lash a superb shot past Trubin.

When Barnes rolled a shot through unfortunate Trubin's legs after meeting Anthony Gordon's stellar through ball, it was all over. The Benfica manager had warned that the Magpies have four quick wide attackers, and three goals from a pair of wide men had destroyed his hopes of earning Benfica's first European points of the campaign.