Harvey Barnes Scores Two Goals as The Magpies Overcome Portuguese Side and Jose Mourinho

When Jose Mourinho arrived at St James' Park and complimented Newcastle's coach and his squad, home supporters feared a tough match. But those fears disappeared thanks to a strike from Anthony Gordon and two more from substitute Harvey Barnes, ensuring the visitors' coach did not inflict any trouble for Howe's team.

Match Flow and Early Action

Mourinho had predicted that Newcastle would be extremely aggressive, but his Benfica players showed their own aggressive approach. Benfica clearly delighted in breaking up the Magpies' initial attempts to build a fluent attacking tempo.

Compounding the home team's issues, two players, Tonali and Joelinton, began on the bench as they were convalescing from illness and injury each.

Before kick-off, the coaches exchanged a perfunctory, reserved embrace, and it quickly became clear that the Benfica coach had told his team to quiet the crowd by delaying the game and lowering the temperature whenever possible.

Critical Events and Decisive Actions

The visitors' strategy produced varied outcomes, but when Gordon and his teammates managed to break through the defensive barricades, they initially struggled to create clear opportunities.

Additionally, the Belgium winger Dodi Lukebakio nearly showed scoring skill when, after beating Dan Burn on the ground, he tested Newcastle's keeper with a tremendous shot that required an terrific single-hand save. It's no surprise the goalkeeper retains hope for an England return in time for the World Cup.

Yet when the winger hit another attempt off the post, the home side woke up. Jacob Murphy shot off target, and Anatoliy Trubin made an impressive near-post stop from Bruno Guimaraes before Anthony Gordon finally broke the scoreless tie.

Gordon's blazing pace had caused consternation for Mourinho all evening, and he calmly side-footed the first goal past Trubin after Murphy's early cross into the area paid off.

When the Magpies' hard, high press was not anticipated by Benfica, Jacob Murphy, preferred over the expensive signing, was available to deliver a low cross across the goal for the winger to finish.

Later Stages and Decisive Substitutions

Right from the start, the Portuguese team could not be accused of defending deeply and seeking a point, but now their side attacked with real freedom. The winger repeatedly showed an skill to destabilize Howe's defense, and the Magpies were probably grateful to regroup at half-time.

The opening period ended with the keeper once more rescuing his team by tipping the attacker's left-foot wide of the goal frame, and as the sides emerged for the second half, everything seemed evenly balanced.

While Gordon, clearly boosted by scoring his fourth goal in three Champions League appearances this season, played with the determination of a winger aiming to alter the balance in his team's direction, Lukebakio had different plans.

Mourinho's No 11 had already emphasized that, while Burn is a fine centre-back, he is not a born full-back, and Newcastle hearts were in mouths every time Lukebakio moved forward.

The Newcastle manager might have relaxed had Lewis Miley, deputising for Sandro Tonali, not directed a corner above the bar from a well-placed spot. Rather, this absorbing game continued to swing from one goal to the other, prompting the manager to bring on Joelinton and Harvey Barnes in place of Jacob Ramsey and Murphy.

The Benfica boss, at the same time, brought on an extra forward in Franjo Ivanovic. It would arguably prove a risk too far.

Harvey Barnes Wins the Match

Before that, the away team, and especially their Portuguese defender Antonio Silva, had done a good job in restricting Nick Woltemade's space and forcing Newcastle's German striker back. But now, with defender Amar Dedic substituted, the defense was underpowered, and the path was clear for Barnes to prove that Anthony Gordon is not Howe's only goal-scoring wide player.

The home side's two changes was already proving effective by the time Pope dispatched a superb throw in Barnes's direction. When Silva, for once, misjudged the bounce, Barnes was away, sprinting into the penalty box before maintaining impressive composure to lash a superb shot past the keeper.

When Harvey Barnes rolled a low effort through unfortunate the goalkeeper's feet after receiving Gordon's stellar pass, it was finished. The Benfica manager had warned that Newcastle have several quick wingers, and three goals from two wingers had shattered his chances of securing the team's first Champions League result of the season.