Newcastle United delivered a commanding 3-0 victory over Benfica at St. James’ Park on Tuesday evening, propelling themselves into contention for a knockout stage berth in the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League. The win marked their second consecutive triumph in the competition, following a 4-0 away victory over Union Saint-Gilloise earlier this month.
This resurgence has injected newfound optimism into the Magpies’ European campaign after an opening loss to Barcelona.
The match commenced with Benfica asserting early pressure. In the eighth minute, a cross from Jacob Murphy found its way to Dan Burn, but the towering defender’s header was cleared off the line by Benfica’s António Silva.
Moments later, Murphy tested Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin with a powerful shot from the edge of the area, but Trubin was equal to the task. However, Newcastle’s resilience paid off in the 32nd minute when Anthony Gordon latched onto a precise cross from Murphy, calmly slotting the ball past Trubin to give the hosts a deserved lead.
This goal marked Gordon’s fourth in three Champions League appearances, making him the first Newcastle player to achieve such a feat in the competition.
Despite the early setback, Benfica responded with intent. Dodi Lukébakio, the Belgian winger, was particularly influential, creating several opportunities for the visitors. In the 22nd minute, Lukébakio unleashed a curling effort that rattled the crossbar, leaving Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope rooted to the spot.
Pope was called into action again in the 27th minute, denying Lukébakio with a sharp save at his near post. These moments underscored Benfica’s attacking prowess and highlighted Pope’s crucial role in maintaining Newcastle’s advantage.
Newcastle’s defense, bolstered by the return of Fabian Schär and Jacob Ramsey, stood firm against Benfica’s advances. The midfield, with 19-year-old Lewis Miley stepping in for the ill Sandro Tonali, provided the necessary support to thwart Benfica’s offensive efforts.
Miley’s composed performance was a testament to the depth and adaptability of Eddie Howe’s squad.
The match’s turning point arrived in the 70th minute when substitute Harvey Barnes made an immediate impact. Goalkeeper Nick Pope launched a long clearance that found Barnes in full stride.
With Benfica’s defense caught off guard, Barnes raced towards goal and finished with precision, striking the ball off the far post and into the net. This goal not only doubled Newcastle’s lead but also showcased Pope’s rare assist, making him only the second English goalkeeper to achieve such a feat in the Champions League.
Barnes completed his brace in the 83rd minute, capitalizing on a well-timed assist from Gordon. The interplay between the two forwards highlighted Newcastle’s attacking cohesion and their ability to exploit Benfica’s defensive vulnerabilities.
Barnes’ performance was particularly noteworthy, as he became the first substitute in Champions League history to score twice in a match for Newcastle.
The victory was not only significant for its immediate impact on the standings but also for its historical context. Newcastle secured back-to-back Champions League wins for the first time in 22 years, a milestone that underscores the club’s growing stature on the European stage.
With six points from three matches, Newcastle now find themselves in a competitive position within their group, trailing only Paris Saint-Germain and Internazionale, both of whom have perfect records.
In contrast, Benfica’s campaign continues to falter under the stewardship of José Mourinho. The Portuguese side now face an uphill battle to qualify for the knockout stages, having suffered three consecutive defeats in the group phase.
Mourinho, despite his tactical acumen, has yet to reverse Benfica’s fortunes in Europe, and the team’s performance at St. James’ Park raised questions about their ability to compete at the highest level.