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As the Benfica manager came at Newcastle's stadium and praised Newcastle's coach and his players, home fans were concerned about a tough game. However those worries vanished thanks to a goal from the winger and two more from replacement the forward, ensuring the visitors' new manager would not cause pain for Newcastle.

Match Flow and Early Action

Mourinho had forecast that Newcastle would be extremely aggressive, but his Benfica players showed their similar combative approach. Benfica clearly delighted in breaking up the Magpies' initial attempts to build a smooth passing tempo.

Adding to Newcastle's issues, two players, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton, started on the bench as they were recovering from illness and a knock respectively.

Before kick-off, the coaches exchanged a brief, reserved embrace, and it soon became clear that Mourinho had told his side to subdue the home fans by slowing the game and lowering the temperature whenever possible.

Critical Events and Decisive Actions

Benfica's tactic yielded varied outcomes, but when Gordon and the Newcastle attack succeeded to dismantle Benfica's defensive barricades, they at first struggled to create good opportunities.

Moreover, Benfica's Belgian attacker Lukebakio nearly showed how to finish when, after beating the defender behind, he tested Nick Pope with a powerful strike that required an terrific single-hand save. No wonder Pope still hopes for an England return in time for the World Cup.

Yet when Lukebakio hit a further shot against the post, the home side woke up. Jacob Murphy shot off target, and Benfica's keeper made an impressive near-post stop from Guimaraes before Gordon at last opened the scoreless tie.

The England winger's scorching pace had caused consternation for the Benfica coach all evening, and he calmly side-footed the opener past Trubin after Murphy's early ball into the box proved effective.

When the Magpies' hard, high press was not anticipated by the opposition, Murphy, chosen over £55m Anthony Elanga, was there to pass a low cross across the face of goal for Gordon to finish.

Second Half and Decisive Substitutions

Right from the start, Benfica could not be accused of defending deeply and seeking a point, but now Mourinho's players pushed forward with total freedom. Lukebakio consistently displayed an skill to unsettle Newcastle's defense, and the home team were likely grateful to regroup at the break.

The opening period ended with Pope once more rescuing his side by diverting the attacker's left-foot around the post, and as the sides emerged for the second half, the match seemed finely poised.

If Gordon, clearly boosted by scoring his fourth strike in three European appearances this season, played with the determination of a winger aiming to shift the power balance in his team's direction, the Benfica attacker had other ideas.

Mourinho's No 11 had already emphasized that, while Burn is a capable centre-back, he is not a born left-back, and Newcastle fans were nervous every time he advanced.

Howe might have felt easier had Lewis Miley, filling in for Sandro Tonali, not directed a set-piece over the bar from a well-placed spot. Instead, this thrilling game continued to swing from one goal to the other, persuading the manager to bring on the midfielder and Barnes in place of Ramsey and Murphy.

Mourinho, at the same time, brought on an additional striker in Ivanovic. It would perhaps prove a gamble that backfired.

Barnes Seals the Game

Before that, Benfica, and especially their Portugal back Silva, had done a fine job in restricting Nick Woltemade's room and pushing Newcastle's Germany striker deep. But now, with defender Amar Dedic off, the backline was underpowered, and the way was open for Barnes to prove that Gordon is not the manager's only goal-scoring winger.

Newcastle's double substitution was already proving effective by the time the goalkeeper sent a superb long throw in Barnes's path. When Antonio Silva, on this occasion, misjudged the bounce, the winger was clear, sprinting into the penalty box before maintaining commendable poise to lash a sublime shot past Trubin.

After Barnes rolled a shot through poor the goalkeeper's legs after meeting Anthony Gordon's stellar pass, it was all over. Mourinho had cautioned that Newcastle have four quick wide attackers, and a trio of strikes from a pair of wingers had destroyed his hopes of securing Benfica's first European result of the season.