Anthony Gordon shone brightly, while Harvey Barnes scored twice after coming off the bench to secure a 3-0 victory for Newcastle United against José Mourinho's Benfica at St. James' Park. This marked Mourinho's fourth defeat in 13 visits to Newcastle, despite a promising start from the Portuguese side. Dodi Lukebakio struck the post, but the visitors lost momentum after conceding the first goal in the 32nd minute. Benfica lost possession while attempting a counter-attack, allowing Bruno Guimarães to set up Jacob Murphy, who delivered a low cross to Gordon, netting his third goal of the tournament this season.

The Portuguese team had opportunities to equalize, but Nick Pope was in exceptional form. When he wasn't thwarting the visitors' attacks, he was creating chances for his teammates. After catching the ball from a corner, Pope launched a long throw that found Barnes, who scored with a low shot into the far corner, effectively sealing the match 20 minutes before the end. Barnes struck again just 13 minutes later, following a pass from Gordon, overcoming goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin to give Newcastle their first consecutive Champions League victories in 22 years.

This win underscores Newcastle's rise in European competitions and demonstrates that the team is ready to establish itself among the continent's elite. The impressive performances from Gordon and Barnes provide hope for future successes for the Magpies.

Expert Analysis: Newcastle's commanding performance against a Mourinho-led Benfica highlights their growing confidence and tactical maturity on the European stage. With players like Gordon and Barnes stepping up, the Magpies are poised to make a significant impact in this season's Champions League.