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When Jose Mourinho arrived at St James' Park and complimented Newcastle's coach and his squad, home fans feared a tough game. But such fears vanished thanks to a strike from the winger and two more from replacement the forward, ensuring the visitors' coach would not cause pain for Howe's team.

Game Flow and Early Exchanges

The Benfica boss had forecast that the home side would be very physical, but his Benfica players showed their own aggressive style. Benfica certainly delighted in disrupting Newcastle's early efforts to build a smooth passing rhythm.

Adding to the home team's issues, key players, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton, started as substitutes as they were convalescing from illness and injury respectively.

Before the start, the two managers shared a brief, cool embrace, and it soon became clear that Mourinho had instructed his team to subdue the home fans by slowing the game and reducing the intensity at every chance.

Key Events and Decisive Actions

Benfica's strategy yielded mixed outcomes, but when Anthony Gordon and the Newcastle attack succeeded to break through Benfica's backline, they initially struggled to create good chances.

Additionally, Benfica's Belgium attacker Dodi Lukebakio nearly demonstrated how to finish when, after leaving Dan Burn behind, he forced Newcastle's keeper with a tremendous shot that required an terrific one-handed save. It's no surprise Pope still hopes for an England return in time for the global tournament.

Yet when Lukebakio directed a further attempt against the post, the home side roused themselves. Jacob Murphy shot wide, and Anatoliy Trubin made an impressive near-post save from Guimaraes before Anthony Gordon at last opened the scoreless tie.

The England winger's scorching speed had created consternation for the Benfica coach all night, and he neatly side-footed the opener past Trubin after his teammate's early ball into the box paid off.

On the occasion Newcastle's intense, high press was not second-guessed by Benfica, Murphy, preferred over £55m Anthony Elanga, was available to pass a low cross across the face of goal for Gordon to finish.

Later Stages and Decisive Substitutions

Right from the start, the Portuguese team could not be blamed of parking the bus and playing for a draw, but now Mourinho's side pushed forward with real freedom. Lukebakio repeatedly displayed an ability to unsettle Newcastle's back four, and the home team were likely relieved to reset at half-time.

The first half concluded with the keeper once more saving his team by diverting the attacker's left-foot around the goal frame, and as the sides came out for the second half, the match seemed evenly poised.

If Anthony Gordon, clearly buoyed by scoring his fourth strike in three European appearances this campaign, played with the determination of a wide player aiming to shift the balance in Newcastle's direction, Lukebakio had other ideas.

Mourinho's winger had already emphasized that, while Burn is a fine centre-back, he is not a natural full-back, and Newcastle fans were in mouths every time Lukebakio moved forward.

The Newcastle manager might have relaxed had Miley, filling in for Sandro Tonali, not directed a corner above the crossbar from a well-placed spot. Instead, this thrilling contest continued to swing from one goal to the other, prompting Newcastle's coach to introduce the midfielder and Harvey Barnes in place of Ramsey and Jacob Murphy.

Mourinho, meanwhile, brought on an additional forward in Franjo Ivanovic. It would arguably prove a gamble too far.

Barnes Seals the Match

Before that, Benfica, and in particular their Portuguese defender Silva, had done a fine job in limiting Nick Woltemade's space and pushing the Germany striker deep. However, with defender Amar Dedic substituted, the backline was weakened, and the path was clear for Harvey Barnes to show that Gordon is not Howe's only attacking wide player.

The home side's two changes was already paying off by the time the goalkeeper dispatched a superb throw in the substitute's path. When Silva, on this occasion, misread the flight, the winger was clear, accelerating into the area before keeping commendable poise to lash a superb strike past Trubin.

After Barnes rolled a shot through poor the goalkeeper's feet after receiving Gordon's excellent pass, it was finished. The Benfica manager had cautioned that Newcastle have four quick wingers, and a trio of strikes from two wingers had destroyed his chances of earning the team's first European result of the season.