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When the Benfica manager arrived at Newcastle's stadium and praised Newcastle's coach and his squad, local fans were concerned about a tough match. But those worries vanished due to a goal from Anthony Gordon and two more from substitute Harvey Barnes, ensuring Benfica's coach did not inflict pain for Howe's team.

Game Dynamics and Initial Exchanges

Mourinho had predicted that Newcastle would be very physical, but his Benfica players showed their own aggressive style. The visitors clearly delighted in disrupting the Magpies' early efforts to build a smooth passing rhythm.

Compounding the home team's issues, key players, Tonali and the Brazilian, started as substitutes as they were convalescing from sickness and a knock respectively.

Prior to the start, the two managers shared a perfunctory, cool embrace, and it quickly became clear that the Benfica coach had instructed his side to subdue the home fans by slowing the game and reducing the temperature whenever possible.

Critical Events and Decisive Actions

The visitors' tactic produced varied results, but when Anthony Gordon and his teammates succeeded to break through the defensive barricades, they initially struggled to create clear chances.

Additionally, the Belgium winger Lukebakio almost demonstrated scoring skill when, after beating the defender on the ground, he forced Newcastle's keeper with a tremendous shot that got an terrific one-handed stop. It's no surprise the goalkeeper still hopes for an England return in time for the global tournament.

Yet when Lukebakio directed another shot off the woodwork, the home side roused themselves. Murphy shot wide, and Benfica's keeper made an impressive close-range save from Bruno Guimaraes before Anthony Gordon at last broke the scoreless tie.

Gordon's blazing speed had created consternation for Mourinho all evening, and he calmly side-footed the opener past the goalkeeper after Murphy's early ball into the area paid off.

On the occasion Newcastle's hard, pressing game was not second-guessed by Benfica, Murphy, chosen over £55m Anthony Elanga, was available to deliver a ground ball across the face of goal for the winger to polish off.

Second Half and Decisive Changes

Right from the start, the Portuguese team could not be blamed of defending deeply and playing for a draw, but now Mourinho's side attacked with total abandon. Lukebakio repeatedly displayed an skill to destabilize Howe's defense, and the home team were likely grateful to reset at half-time.

The opening period concluded with Pope once more saving his team by diverting Lukebakio's left-foot around the goal frame, and as the teams came out for the second half, everything seemed evenly poised.

While Gordon, clearly buoyed by scoring his fourth strike in three Champions League games this season, played with the determination of a winger set to alter the balance in Newcastle's direction, Lukebakio had different ideas.

The manager's No 11 had already emphasized that, while Dan Burn is a fine centre-back, he is not a born full-back, and Newcastle fans were in mouths every time he moved forward.

Howe might have relaxed had Miley, deputising for Sandro Tonali, not directed a corner over the bar from a good position. Rather, this thrilling game continued to swing from end to end, persuading Newcastle's manager to introduce Joelinton and Harvey Barnes in place of Ramsey and Murphy.

Mourinho, meanwhile, brought on an additional striker in Ivanovic. This would arguably prove a gamble that backfired.

Barnes Wins the Match

Until then, the away team, and especially their Portugal defender Silva, had performed a good job in limiting Nick Woltemade's space and forcing the German centre-forward back. But now, with right-back Dedic off, the defense was underpowered, and the way was open for Harvey Barnes to show that Gordon is not Howe's only attacking winger.

The home side's double substitution was already proving effective by the time the goalkeeper dispatched a superb long throw in Barnes's direction. When Silva, on this occasion, misjudged the bounce, the winger was clear, sprinting into the area before keeping commendable poise to fire a sublime strike past the keeper.

After Harvey Barnes rolled a shot through poor Trubin's legs after receiving Anthony Gordon's stellar through ball, it was finished. The Benfica manager had cautioned that the Magpies have four quick wingers, and three goals from a pair of wingers had shattered his chances of earning the team's first European points of the season.