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When Jose Mourinho arrived at Newcastle's stadium and praised Eddie Howe and his players, home supporters feared a difficult game. But those worries disappeared due to a goal from the winger and two more from substitute the forward, ensuring the visitors' coach did not inflict pain for Howe's team.

Match Dynamics and Early Action

The Benfica boss had predicted that Newcastle would be very physical, but his Benfica players displayed their similar combative approach. Benfica certainly enjoyed disrupting the Magpies' early attempts to build a fluent passing rhythm.

Compounding the home team's challenges, key midfielders, Sandro Tonali and the Brazilian, began as substitutes as they continued recovering from sickness and a knock each.

Prior to kick-off, the two managers exchanged a perfunctory, cool embrace, and it soon became apparent that the Benfica coach had told his side to quiet the home fans by delaying the game and reducing the intensity at every chance.

Critical Events and Decisive Actions

The visitors' tactic yielded varied outcomes, but when Gordon and the Newcastle attack managed to break through Benfica's defensive barricades, they at first struggled to generate good opportunities.

Additionally, the Belgian winger Dodi Lukebakio almost demonstrated scoring skill when, after leaving the defender on the ground, he forced Nick Pope with a tremendous strike that got an excellent one-handed save. No wonder Pope still hopes for an national team return in time for the World Cup.

But when the winger hit a further shot against the woodwork, Newcastle roused themselves. Murphy fired off target, and Benfica's keeper made an impressive near-post save from Guimaraes before Anthony Gordon at last broke the scoreless tie.

The England winger's blazing speed had caused consternation for the Benfica coach all evening, and he neatly slotted the first goal past Trubin after Murphy's early ball into the box proved effective.

On the occasion the Magpies' hard, high press was not anticipated by the opposition, Murphy, preferred over the expensive signing, was there to pass a ground ball across the face of goal for Gordon to polish off.

Later Stages and Match-Winning Substitutions

Right from the start, the Portuguese team could not be accused of defending deeply and playing for a draw, but now their players attacked with total freedom. The winger repeatedly showed an ability to destabilize Howe's defense, and the home team were likely grateful to regroup at half-time.

The first half ended with the keeper again rescuing his side by diverting the attacker's shot wide of the goal frame, and as the sides came out for the next period, everything seemed finely poised.

If Anthony Gordon, evidently buoyed by scoring his fourth strike in three Champions League games this season, played with the determination of a wide player aiming to shift the power balance in Newcastle's direction, Lukebakio had other plans.

The manager's winger had previously shown that, while Dan Burn is a capable central defender, he is not a born full-back, and Newcastle fans were nervous every time Lukebakio advanced.

Howe might have felt easier had Lewis Miley, deputising for Sandro Tonali, not directed a set-piece above the bar from a good position. Instead, this absorbing game continued to move from one goal to the other, persuading Newcastle's manager to bring on the midfielder and Barnes in place of Ramsey and Jacob Murphy.

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

Barnes Wins the Match

Until then, Benfica, and in particular their Portuguese defender Silva, had done a good job in restricting Woltemade's space and pushing Newcastle's German centre-forward deep. However, with defender Dedic substituted, the backline was underpowered, and the path was open for Harvey Barnes to show that Anthony Gordon is not the manager's only attacking winger.

Newcastle's double substitution was already proving effective by the time Pope sent a wonderful long throw in Barnes's direction. When Antonio Silva, on this occasion, misjudged the bounce, Barnes was away, accelerating into the penalty box before maintaining impressive composure to lash a superb strike past the keeper.

When Barnes slid a shot through unfortunate Trubin's feet after meeting Anthony Gordon's stellar pass, it was all over. Mourinho had cautioned that the Magpies have four very fast wingers, and a trio of strikes from a pair of wide men had shattered his hopes of securing Benfica's first Champions League result of the season.