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When the Benfica manager came at Newcastle's stadium and praised Newcastle's coach and his squad, home fans feared a tough game. But such fears disappeared due to a strike from the winger and two more from substitute the forward, making sure the visitors' coach did not inflict pain for Howe's team.

Match Dynamics and Early Exchanges

The Benfica boss had predicted that the home side would be very physical, but his Benfica players displayed their own aggressive style. Benfica clearly enjoyed disrupting the Magpies' early efforts to build a smooth passing rhythm.

Adding to Newcastle's issues, two midfielders, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton, started on the bench as they were recovering from illness and injury respectively.

Before the start, the two managers shared a brief, reserved greeting, and it soon became apparent that the Benfica coach had instructed his team to quiet the crowd by slowing Newcastle and reducing the intensity whenever possible.

Key Moments and Decisive Actions

The visitors' strategy produced varied outcomes, but when Gordon and his teammates succeeded to dismantle Benfica's backline, they at first struggled to create clear opportunities.

Moreover, the Belgian winger Dodi Lukebakio almost demonstrated how to finish when, after beating Dan Burn on the ground, he tested Nick Pope with a powerful strike that got an terrific single-hand stop. It's no surprise the goalkeeper still hopes for an England return in time for the World Cup.

Yet when the winger hit a further shot against the post, the home side woke up. Murphy fired off target, and Anatoliy Trubin made an excellent near-post stop from Bruno Guimaraes before Gordon at last opened the deadlock.

Gordon's scorching speed had caused problems for Mourinho all night, and he neatly slotted the opener past Trubin after Murphy's early ball into the area proved effective.

On the occasion Newcastle's hard, pressing game was not anticipated by Benfica, Murphy, chosen over the expensive signing, was available to deliver a low cross across the goal for the winger to polish off.

Later Stages and Match-Winning Changes

Right from the start, Benfica could not be blamed of parking the bus and playing for a draw, but now Mourinho's side attacked with total abandon. The winger repeatedly showed an skill to unsettle Newcastle's defense, and the home team were likely relieved to reset at half-time.

The first half ended with the keeper once more rescuing his side by tipping Lukebakio's shot around the goal frame, and as the sides came out for the next period, everything seemed finely balanced.

While Anthony Gordon, clearly boosted by netting his fourth goal in three European games this campaign, played with the zeal of a winger set to alter the power balance in his team's favor, Lukebakio had different ideas.

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

Howe might have felt easier had Lewis Miley, filling in for Sandro Tonali, not directed a set-piece above the crossbar from a well-placed spot. Rather, this thrilling contest continued to move from end to end, persuading the coach to introduce the midfielder and Harvey Barnes in place of Ramsey and Murphy.

Mourinho, meanwhile, brought on an extra forward in Ivanovic. It would arguably prove a risk too far.

Harvey Barnes Wins the Game

Before that, the away team, and especially their Portugal defender Antonio Silva, had done a good job in limiting Nick Woltemade's room and forcing Newcastle's Germany centre-forward back. But now, with right-back Amar Dedic off, the backline was weakened, and the path was open for Harvey Barnes to prove that Anthony Gordon is not the manager's only attacking winger.

The home side's two changes was already proving effective by the time Pope dispatched a wonderful throw in Barnes's direction. When Antonio Silva, for once, misjudged the bounce, Barnes was clear, sprinting into the penalty box before keeping impressive poise to fire a superb shot past Trubin.

When Harvey Barnes rolled a low effort through poor Trubin's legs after meeting Gordon's excellent through ball, it was all over. Mourinho had cautioned that Newcastle have four quick wingers, and three goals from two wingers had shattered his chances of securing Benfica's first Champions League result of the campaign.