Barnes Scores Twice as The Magpies Defeat Portuguese Side and Mourinho
As the Benfica manager arrived at Newcastle's stadium and complimented Eddie Howe and his squad, home supporters were concerned about a tough game. But those fears vanished thanks to a strike from Anthony Gordon and a brace from replacement the forward, making sure the visitors' new manager did not inflict pain for Howe's team.
Game Dynamics and Initial Action
The Benfica boss had predicted that the home side would be extremely aggressive, but his own team showed their own aggressive approach. Benfica clearly delighted in breaking up the Magpies' initial efforts to establish a smooth attacking rhythm.
Adding to the home team's challenges, two players, Tonali and the Brazilian, started as substitutes as they were recovering from sickness and a knock each.
Before the start, the coaches exchanged a brief, cool embrace, and it quickly became apparent that Mourinho had told his team to subdue the home fans by slowing the game and lowering the temperature at every chance.
Critical Events and Turning Points
Benfica's tactic yielded mixed outcomes, but when Gordon and the Newcastle attack managed to break through the defensive barricades, they initially struggled to generate clear opportunities.
Moreover, Benfica's Belgium attacker Dodi Lukebakio almost demonstrated scoring skill when, after leaving the defender on the ground, he forced Nick Pope with a powerful shot that got an terrific single-hand save. No wonder Pope still hopes for an national team return in time for the World Cup.
But when Lukebakio hit a further shot off the post, the home side woke up. Murphy fired wide, and Anatoliy Trubin made an excellent close-range save from Bruno Guimaraes before Gordon finally broke the scoreless tie.
The England winger's scorching pace had caused problems for Mourinho all evening, and he neatly side-footed the opener past the goalkeeper after Murphy's early cross into the box proved effective.
When Newcastle's intense, high press was not anticipated by Benfica, Jacob Murphy, chosen over the expensive signing, was available to deliver a ground ball across the goal for the winger to polish off.
Later Stages 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 players pushed forward with real abandon. The winger consistently showed an ability to destabilize Newcastle's defense, and the Magpies were probably grateful to regroup at the break.
The first half concluded with the keeper again saving his side by tipping the attacker's shot wide of the post, and as the teams came out for the second half, everything seemed evenly balanced.
If Anthony Gordon, clearly boosted by netting his fourth strike in three Champions League appearances this campaign, played with the determination of a wide player set to alter the power balance in his team's direction, Lukebakio had other plans.
The manager's winger had previously emphasized that, while Dan Burn is a capable centre-back, he is not a natural full-back, and home fans were nervous every time Lukebakio advanced.
Howe might have felt easier had Lewis Miley, deputising for Tonali, not headed a corner above the bar from a well-placed spot. Instead, this absorbing game continued to swing from end to end, persuading Newcastle's coach to bring on Joelinton and Barnes in place of Ramsey and Murphy.
Mourinho, meanwhile, threw on an extra forward in Franjo Ivanovic. It would perhaps prove a risk that backfired.
Barnes Wins the Match
Until then, Benfica, and especially their Portuguese back Silva, had done a good job in restricting Nick Woltemade's room and forcing Newcastle's Germany centre-forward deep. But now, with right-back Amar Dedic off, the backline was underpowered, and the path was clear for Barnes to prove that Gordon is not the manager's only attacking wide player.
Newcastle's two changes was already paying off by the time the goalkeeper dispatched a wonderful throw in the substitute's path. When Silva, for once, misread the flight, Barnes was away, sprinting into the area before maintaining commendable poise to fire a sublime shot past Trubin.
When Barnes slid a low effort through poor Trubin's feet after receiving Gordon's stellar through ball, it was finished. The Benfica manager had warned that Newcastle have several very fast wingers, and three goals from two wide men had destroyed his hopes of earning the team's first Champions League result of the campaign.
