Key stats
- Newcastle have scored in their last five games in the Champions League, their longest run of games with a goal in the competition (since at least 2004/2005).
- Nick Pope became the second English goalkeeper to assist a Champions League goal, after Fraser Foster for Celtic against Barcelona in November 2012.
- Benfica have lost their last five games in the Champions League, their last longer losing streak was from 8th March 2017 to 19th September 2018, a run of eight games.
Highlights
Analysis
Anthony Gordon starred for Newcastle against Benfica and had the highest Flashscore rating of the match with 8.1.
Match report
With their supporters in fine voice, the hosts almost took the lead as early as the ninth minute, when Dan Burn’s close-range header following a corner was denied by Ukrainian goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin.
Benfica’s first clear-cut opportunity arrived soon afterwards, as Dodi Lukébakio flew past Burn on the right flank and sprinted inside the penalty area, before seeing his eventual shot well saved by Nick Pope.
The impressive Lukébakio continued to pose problems for Newcastle’s defence, and saw a 20-yard effort rattle the woodwork just before the midway point of the first half.
It was the Magpies, though, who broke the deadlock shortly after the half-hour mark, when Jacob Murphy played the ball across the face of goal and was met by Anthony Gordon to find the back of the net for his fourth UCL goal of the season.
Lukébakio came close once again to adding his name on the scoresheet as the visitors looked to respond, with a rapid 20-yard shot that was tipped around the post by Pope.
Eddie Howe’s side started the second half brightly and should really have doubled their advantage in the 52nd minute, but Lewis Miley’s close-range header somehow sailed over the bar with the goal at his mercy.
Momentum continued to surge with the Toon Army, and with Benfica on the ropes, Trubin kept the Eagles in contention with a smart stop to deny Murphy 10 minutes after the interval.
The Magpies deservedly netted their second goal of the evening with 20 minutes remaining, as substitute Harvey Barnes latched onto a long ball from Pope and found the back of the net with a superb finish that went in off the post.
Newcastle killed the game off in style when the superb Gordon teed up Barnes beautifully, and he emphatically slotted the ball past Trubin from inside the penalty area to secure the Toon Army’s third goal of the night.
While the first half was a competitive affair between both sides, the hosts simply blew away the opposition after the interval and deserved to win by a handsome scoreline.
Newcastle’s victory sees them move up into seventh in the league phase table, with two wins from their opening three matches which should boost their confidence ahead of this weekend’s Premier League game at home against Fulham. Benfica’s European woes continue though, as José Mourinho’s side are still searching for their first point.
Flashcore Man of the Match: Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United)
Click here to see all the stats of the match.
Post-match reaction
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe told TNT Sports: "Really pleased because Benfica are a very good team. We had to show our qualities. We were patient initially, we had chances and didn't score early. We kept at it and once we scored the second goal, we saw the real us and what we can be. We were excellent from that point onwards.
"We have strength but it's on paper, you have to prove it. Last season we had a great season, won a trophy. We have to go to work and prove the strength of the squad warrants the feeling I have because I do believe it's full of really good players. We haven't quite clicked into gear yet, hopefully that’s the start of what we can be.
"Anthony (Gordon) was outstanding. He looked a real threat all game. He was dynamic, aggressive and positive. Jacob (Murphy's) always been an assist threat and he was absolutely that. Some of the deliveries he put in were very good.
"I'm pleased for Harvey (Barnes) to come on and get the two that he did on the right side which shows his versatility. It’ll do those three players a world of good."