Barnes Scores Twice as The Magpies Defeat Portuguese Side and Jose Mourinho

When the Benfica manager arrived at Newcastle's stadium and praised Eddie Howe and his players, home supporters were concerned about a difficult game. But those fears disappeared thanks to a goal from the winger and a brace from replacement the forward, making sure the visitors' new manager would not cause any trouble for Howe's team.

Match Dynamics and Initial Exchanges

Mourinho had predicted that Newcastle would be very physical, but his own team displayed their similar aggressive approach. Benfica clearly enjoyed disrupting Newcastle's initial efforts to build a fluent passing tempo.

Adding to the home team's issues, two midfielders, Tonali and Joelinton, started on the bench as they were convalescing from sickness and injury respectively.

Prior to the start, the two managers exchanged a brief, cool embrace, and it soon became apparent that the Benfica coach had told his team to subdue the crowd by slowing Newcastle and lowering the intensity at every chance.

Critical Moments and Decisive Actions

Benfica's tactic produced mixed results, but when Gordon and the Newcastle attack succeeded to dismantle the defensive barricades, they initially struggled to create good chances.

Moreover, Benfica's Belgian winger Dodi Lukebakio almost demonstrated how to finish when, after leaving the defender behind, he tested Newcastle's keeper with a tremendous shot that got an terrific single-hand save. No wonder Pope retains hope for an England return in time for the global tournament.

But when Lukebakio hit another attempt against the woodwork, the home side roused themselves. Murphy fired wide, and Benfica's keeper made an impressive close-range save from Guimaraes before Gordon finally broke the deadlock.

The England winger's blazing speed had caused problems for the Benfica coach all evening, and he calmly slotted the first goal past Trubin after his teammate's quick cross into the area proved effective.

On the occasion the Magpies' hard, high press was not second-guessed by the opposition, Jacob Murphy, chosen over £55m Anthony Elanga, was available to pass a low cross across the face of goal for the winger to polish off.

Second Half and Match-Winning Changes

Right from the start, Benfica could not be blamed of defending deeply and playing for a draw, but now Mourinho's side attacked with total abandon. Lukebakio repeatedly displayed an skill to destabilize Howe's defense, and the Magpies were likely relieved to regroup at the break.

The opening period ended with the keeper again saving his side by tipping the attacker's shot around the goal frame, and as the sides emerged for the second half, the match seemed evenly poised.

If Anthony Gordon, clearly boosted by netting his fourth goal in three European games this campaign, played with the zeal of a winger set to alter the power balance in Newcastle's favor, Lukebakio had other ideas.

The manager's winger had already emphasized that, while Dan Burn is a fine centre-back, he is not a natural full-back, and home fans were nervous every time Lukebakio advanced.

Howe might have relaxed had Lewis Miley, deputising for Sandro Tonali, not headed a set-piece above the crossbar from a good spot. Instead, this absorbing game continued to move from one goal to the other, prompting Newcastle's manager to introduce the midfielder and Barnes in place of Jacob Ramsey and Jacob Murphy.

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

Harvey Barnes Seals the Game

Until then, the away team, and in particular their Portugal defender Antonio Silva, had performed a good job in limiting Nick Woltemade's room and pushing the Germany centre-forward deep. However, with right-back Amar Dedic substituted, the defense was underpowered, and the way was clear for Harvey Barnes to show that Gordon is not the manager's only attacking wide player.

The home side's double substitution was already paying off by the time the goalkeeper sent a wonderful throw in the substitute's direction. When Silva, on this occasion, misjudged the bounce, the winger was away, sprinting into the area before keeping impressive poise to lash a superb strike past Trubin.

When Barnes rolled a low effort through poor Trubin's legs after meeting Gordon's excellent through ball, it was all over. Mourinho had warned that the Magpies have four very fast wingers, and a trio of strikes from two wide men had shattered his chances of earning the team's first Champions League points of the season.