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As the Benfica manager arrived at Newcastle's stadium and complimented Newcastle's coach and his squad, home fans were concerned about a tough game. However those fears disappeared thanks to a goal from Anthony Gordon and a brace from replacement the forward, ensuring the visitors' coach would not cause any trouble for Howe's team.

Game Dynamics and Initial Exchanges

Mourinho had forecast that the home side would be very physical, but his own team showed their own aggressive approach. Benfica certainly delighted in disrupting the Magpies' early efforts to build a fluent attacking tempo.

Adding to Newcastle's challenges, key midfielders, Sandro Tonali and the Brazilian, started on the bench as they were convalescing from sickness and injury respectively.

Before kick-off, the two managers shared a brief, cool greeting, and it quickly became apparent that the Benfica coach had instructed his team to quiet the home fans by delaying the game and reducing the intensity whenever possible.

Key Moments and Turning Points

The visitors' strategy produced varied outcomes, but when Anthony Gordon and his teammates succeeded to break through Benfica's backline, they at first struggled to generate clear chances.

Moreover, the Belgium attacker Lukebakio nearly showed how to finish when, after leaving Dan Burn behind, he forced Nick Pope with a powerful shot that required an excellent one-handed save. No wonder the goalkeeper still hopes for an England recall in time for the World Cup.

But when Lukebakio hit a further shot against the woodwork, Newcastle woke up. Jacob Murphy fired wide, and Benfica's keeper made an impressive close-range stop from Guimaraes before Anthony Gordon finally broke the scoreless tie.

The England winger's blazing speed had created problems for the Benfica coach all evening, and he neatly side-footed the first goal past the goalkeeper after Murphy's quick cross into the box proved effective.

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

Second Half and Decisive Changes

Right from the start, the Portuguese team could not be accused of parking the bus and seeking a point, but now their side attacked with real freedom. Lukebakio consistently showed an skill to destabilize Newcastle's defense, and the home team were likely relieved to reset at half-time.

The first half concluded with Pope once more rescuing his team by tipping Lukebakio's shot around the post, and as the sides came out for the next period, everything seemed evenly poised.

While Gordon, evidently buoyed by scoring his fourth goal in three Champions League appearances this season, played with the determination of a wide player set to shift the power balance in Newcastle's direction, the Benfica attacker had other ideas.

The manager's No 11 had previously emphasized that, while Burn is a fine centre-back, he is not a born full-back, and home hearts were nervous every time Lukebakio moved forward.

Howe might have relaxed had Lewis Miley, filling in for Tonali, not directed a set-piece over the crossbar from a well-placed spot. Rather, this thrilling contest continued to swing from one goal to the other, prompting Newcastle's coach to introduce Joelinton and Barnes in place of Ramsey and Jacob Murphy.

The Benfica boss, at the same time, threw on an extra striker in Franjo Ivanovic. It would arguably prove a gamble too far.

Barnes Seals the Game

Until then, Benfica, and in particular their Portuguese defender Antonio Silva, had performed a fine job in limiting Nick Woltemade's room and pushing Newcastle's Germany centre-forward back. But now, with right-back Dedic off, the backline was weakened, and the way was clear for Barnes to show that Gordon is not Howe's only attacking wide player.

The home side's double substitution was already proving effective by the time the goalkeeper dispatched a superb throw in Barnes's direction. When Antonio Silva, for once, misread the flight, the winger was clear, sprinting into the area before maintaining impressive poise to fire a superb shot past the keeper.

When Barnes rolled a low effort through poor the goalkeeper's feet after meeting Anthony Gordon's excellent through ball, it was all over. Mourinho had cautioned that Newcastle have several very fast wide attackers, and three goals from two wingers had destroyed his chances of securing the team's first European result of the campaign.