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When Jose Mourinho arrived at St James' Park and complimented Eddie Howe and his squad, local fans feared a difficult game. However such fears disappeared due to a goal from Anthony Gordon and a brace from substitute Harvey Barnes, ensuring Benfica's new manager did not inflict any trouble for Newcastle.

Game Dynamics and Initial Action

The Benfica boss had predicted that Newcastle would be extremely aggressive, but his own team displayed their similar aggressive style. The visitors clearly enjoyed breaking up Newcastle's early efforts to build a fluent attacking tempo.

Adding to Newcastle's issues, two midfielders, Sandro Tonali and the Brazilian, began on the bench as they continued convalescing from sickness and a knock respectively.

Prior to kick-off, the two managers shared a perfunctory, reserved greeting, and it soon became apparent that Mourinho had told his side to quiet the home fans by slowing the game and reducing the temperature whenever possible.

Critical Moments and Decisive Actions

Benfica's tactic produced varied results, but when Anthony Gordon and his teammates managed to break through the backline, they initially struggled to create good opportunities.

Moreover, the Belgian attacker Dodi Lukebakio nearly demonstrated how to finish when, after leaving the defender behind, he forced Newcastle's keeper with a tremendous strike that required an excellent one-handed save. It's no surprise the goalkeeper retains hope for an national team return in time for the World Cup.

Yet when Lukebakio directed a further shot off the post, Newcastle woke up. Jacob Murphy shot off target, and Benfica's keeper made an impressive near-post stop from Bruno Guimaraes before Anthony Gordon at last broke the scoreless tie.

The England winger's blazing speed had created consternation for Mourinho all evening, and he calmly slotted the first goal past Trubin after Murphy's early cross into the box paid off.

When Newcastle's intense, high press was not anticipated by the opposition, Murphy, preferred over the expensive signing, was available to pass a low ball across the face of goal for the winger to polish off.

Later Stages and Match-Winning Substitutions

Right from the start, Benfica could not be accused of defending deeply and seeking a point, but now their players attacked with total abandon. Lukebakio consistently displayed an ability to unsettle Howe's defense, and the Magpies were probably grateful to reset at half-time.

The first half concluded with Pope once more saving his side by diverting Lukebakio's left-foot wide of the post, and as the sides emerged for the second half, the match seemed evenly balanced.

While Gordon, evidently boosted by netting his fourth goal in three Champions League appearances this campaign, played with the determination of a winger aiming to shift the power balance in Newcastle's direction, Lukebakio had other ideas.

Mourinho's winger had previously emphasized that, while Burn is a fine central defender, he is not a natural full-back, and Newcastle fans were nervous every time Lukebakio advanced.

The Newcastle manager might have relaxed had Lewis Miley, deputising for Sandro Tonali, not headed a set-piece over the crossbar from a good spot. Rather, this thrilling contest continued to move from end to end, persuading Newcastle's manager to bring on Joelinton and Barnes in place of Ramsey and Murphy.

Mourinho, at the same time, brought on an extra forward in Franjo Ivanovic. It would perhaps prove a gamble too far.

Barnes Wins the Game

Until then, the away team, and in particular their Portugal back Silva, had done a good job in restricting Nick Woltemade's space and pushing the Germany centre-forward back. But now, with right-back Amar Dedic substituted, the defense was underpowered, and the path was open for Harvey Barnes to show that Anthony Gordon is not the manager's only attacking wide player.

Newcastle's two changes was already paying off by the time Pope dispatched a wonderful throw in the substitute's path. When Antonio Silva, for once, misread the bounce, Barnes was clear, sprinting into the penalty box before keeping commendable composure to fire a superb shot past Trubin.

After Barnes slid a shot through unfortunate the goalkeeper's feet after receiving Gordon's excellent pass, it was finished. Mourinho had warned that Newcastle have several quick wide attackers, and a trio of strikes from two wide men had shattered his chances of earning Benfica's first European result of the campaign.