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As the Benfica manager came at Newcastle's stadium and praised Newcastle's coach and his players, home fans were concerned about a tough match. But those fears disappeared thanks to a strike from the winger and a brace from replacement Harvey Barnes, ensuring the visitors' new manager would not cause pain for Newcastle.

Match Flow and Initial Exchanges

Mourinho had predicted that Newcastle would be very physical, but his Benfica players displayed their own combative approach. Benfica clearly delighted in breaking up Newcastle's early attempts to establish a fluent passing rhythm.

Adding to Newcastle's issues, two players, Sandro Tonali and the Brazilian, began on the bench as they continued convalescing from illness and injury respectively.

Prior to kick-off, the coaches shared a brief, reserved greeting, and it quickly became clear that the Benfica coach had told his side to subdue the home fans by slowing Newcastle and reducing the intensity at every chance.

Critical Events and Decisive Actions

Benfica's strategy yielded mixed outcomes, but when Gordon and the Newcastle attack managed to dismantle the backline, they at first struggled to generate clear opportunities.

Additionally, the Belgium attacker Dodi Lukebakio almost showed scoring skill when, after beating the defender on the ground, he tested Newcastle's keeper with a tremendous shot that required an terrific one-handed save. It's no surprise Pope still hopes for an England recall in time for the World Cup.

But when the winger directed another shot against the woodwork, Newcastle woke up. Murphy shot wide, and Benfica's keeper made an impressive near-post save from Bruno Guimaraes before Anthony Gordon finally broke the scoreless tie.

The England winger's blazing pace had caused problems for the Benfica coach all night, and he calmly slotted the opener past Trubin after Murphy's quick cross into the box proved effective.

When the Magpies' intense, pressing game was not second-guessed by Benfica, Murphy, preferred over the expensive signing, was there to pass a ground ball across the goal for Gordon to finish.

Second Half and Match-Winning Changes

Right from the start, Benfica could not be accused of parking the bus and seeking a point, but now their side pushed forward with real abandon. Lukebakio consistently showed an ability to destabilize Newcastle's defense, and the home team were likely grateful to regroup at the break.

The first half ended with the keeper once more rescuing his team by diverting the attacker's shot wide of the goal frame, and as the teams emerged for the second half, everything seemed evenly balanced.

If Anthony Gordon, evidently boosted by netting his fourth goal in three Champions League games this season, played with the determination of a wide player aiming to shift the power balance in his team's favor, Lukebakio had different ideas.

Mourinho's No 11 had previously shown that, while Dan Burn is a capable 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, deputising for Tonali, not directed a corner over the crossbar from a good spot. Instead, this absorbing game continued to move from one goal to the other, persuading Newcastle's coach to introduce the midfielder and Barnes in place of Ramsey and Jacob Murphy.

Mourinho, at the same time, threw on an additional forward in Franjo Ivanovic. This would arguably prove a risk too far.

Barnes Wins the Match

Before that, Benfica, and in particular their Portugal defender Antonio Silva, had done a good job in restricting Nick Woltemade's room and forcing the Germany striker deep. But now, with defender Dedic substituted, the backline was underpowered, and the way was open for Harvey Barnes to show that Gordon is not Howe's only goal-scoring wide player.

Newcastle's double substitution was already paying off by the time Pope dispatched a superb long throw in the substitute's direction. When Antonio Silva, for once, misread the bounce, Barnes was clear, sprinting into the area before maintaining commendable poise to lash a superb strike past Trubin.

When Barnes rolled a shot through poor the goalkeeper's feet after meeting Gordon's stellar pass, it was finished. The Benfica manager had cautioned that the Magpies have four quick wingers, and three goals from two wingers had shattered his hopes of securing Benfica's first Champions League result of the campaign.