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As the Benfica manager came at Newcastle's stadium and complimented Eddie Howe and his squad, local supporters feared a difficult match. But such fears disappeared due to a goal from Anthony Gordon and two more from replacement the forward, ensuring the visitors' new manager did not inflict pain for Howe's team.

Game Dynamics and Early Action

The Benfica boss had predicted that the home side would be very physical, but his own team showed their own combative style. Benfica certainly delighted in breaking up the Magpies' early attempts to build a smooth attacking tempo.

Adding to Newcastle's issues, key players, Sandro Tonali and the Brazilian, began as substitutes as they were recovering from sickness and a knock respectively.

Before kick-off, the coaches shared a brief, reserved greeting, and it soon became apparent that Mourinho had instructed his side to quiet the crowd by slowing Newcastle and lowering the temperature at every chance.

Critical Events and Turning Points

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

Additionally, Benfica's Belgian attacker Dodi Lukebakio almost showed how to finish when, after leaving the defender on the ground, he tested Newcastle's keeper with a powerful strike that got an excellent single-hand save. It's no surprise Pope still hopes for an national team recall in time for the global tournament.

But when Lukebakio directed another shot against the woodwork, Newcastle woke up. Jacob Murphy fired off target, and Benfica's keeper made an impressive near-post stop from Guimaraes before Gordon finally broke the scoreless tie.

The England winger's blazing pace had caused consternation for the Benfica coach all evening, and he neatly slotted the opener past the goalkeeper after Murphy's quick ball into the box proved effective.

When the Magpies' intense, high press was not second-guessed by Benfica, Murphy, chosen over the expensive signing, was there to deliver a ground ball across the goal for the winger to polish off.

Later Stages and Match-Winning Changes

Right from the start, Benfica could not be accused of defending deeply and seeking a point, but now their players pushed forward with total abandon. The winger repeatedly displayed an skill to destabilize Howe's back four, and the Magpies were probably relieved to regroup at half-time.

The opening period concluded with the keeper once more saving his side by diverting the attacker's shot wide of the post, and as the teams came out for the next period, the match seemed evenly poised.

If Gordon, clearly boosted by scoring his fourth strike in three Champions League games this campaign, played with the determination of a winger set to shift the balance in his team's favor, the Benfica attacker had different ideas.

The manager's winger had already emphasized that, while Burn is a fine central defender, he is not a born left-back, and home fans were in mouths every time he advanced.

The Newcastle manager might have felt easier had Miley, filling in for Tonali, not directed a set-piece over the crossbar from a good position. Rather, this thrilling game continued to move from one goal to the other, persuading Newcastle's manager to introduce the midfielder and Harvey Barnes in place of Jacob Ramsey and Murphy.

Mourinho, at the same time, threw on an extra forward in Ivanovic. This would arguably prove a gamble that backfired.

Harvey Barnes Seals the Game

Before that, the away team, and in particular their Portuguese defender Silva, had done a fine job in limiting Woltemade's space and pushing the Germany striker back. But now, with defender Dedic substituted, the backline was underpowered, and the way was open for Harvey Barnes to show that Anthony Gordon is not Howe's only attacking wide player.

Newcastle's double substitution was already paying off by the time Pope dispatched a superb long throw in Barnes's path. When Antonio Silva, for once, misread the flight, the winger was clear, accelerating into the area before keeping impressive composure to fire a sublime strike past Trubin.

When Harvey Barnes rolled a low effort through poor Trubin's feet after receiving Anthony Gordon's excellent through ball, it was all over. Mourinho had cautioned that the Magpies have several quick wingers, and a trio of strikes from two wingers had destroyed his chances of earning the team's first Champions League points of the campaign.