Benfica v Newcastle: Key Moments

By Dan King - Newcastle United Club Reporter

Benfica 3 (Rodrigo 25, Lima 65, Oscar Cardozo pen 71)
Newcastle United 1 (Cisse 12)

SECOND HALF UPDATES

90+4mins: For 13 minutes, the Estadio da Luz scoreboard showed Benfica 0 Newcastle United 1 but it ends 3-1 to the Portuguese giants. It could have been so different - Papiss Cisse twice hit the inside of the post - and the Magpies still have an away goal which could yet prove crucial. But after Cisse put the visitors in front, the hosts roared back through Rodrigo and then turned the game on its head through Lima after a Davide Santon error. Oscar Cardozo's penalty gives Alan Pardew's men an uphill task in the second leg at St. James' but tickets are available here.

90+3mins: Perez sends an effort narrowly off target for the hosts as they push for a killer fourth goal.

90mins: There will be four minutes of stoppage time.

87mins: Ameobi is booked for a clash with Galtan, which appeared to be accidental but left the Benfica man on the ground.

85mins: Santon, keen to atone for his earlier error which led to Benfica's second goal, dribbles towards goal and lets fly but his low strike whistles wide.

83mins: Danny Simpson pulls up with what looks like cramp and so Dan Gosling comes on in his place, with Anita filling in at right-back.

81mins: After Pereira's cross is headed into the side-netting by Matic, Newcastle introduce Shola Ameobi in place of Marveaux for the striker's 50th European appearance. But they're relieved to see Krul make another save - albeit one he didn't know too much about - after a spot of pinball in the United box ends in Gatlan shooting but the keeper getting in the way. A fourth goal really would kill it off.

77mins: Maxi Pereira comes on for Oscar Cardoza, whose penalty six minutes earlier could prove so important in this quarter-final.

73mins: Substitute Perez is booked for a foul on Cabaye 35 yards from goal, but the Newcastle midfielder's set-piece shot is blocked.

71mins - BENFICA GOAL (3-1): Oscar Cardoza stepped up to convert, despite looking rather nervous - but was then ordered to retake his kick after the referee saw an infringement. The second time around, Krul went the right way but couldn't get a hand to the ball and now it's a real mountain to climb for United, both tonight and in the tie overall.

69mins: It's all going wrong for Newcastle - Benfica have a penalty. Steven Taylor handled in the box and although referee Gautier seemed to miss it, one of his assistants spotted it and the spot-kick was awarded.

65mins - BENFICA GOAL (2-1): Disaster for Newcastle as Davide Santon plays an awful backpass towards Krul only for Lima to anticipate it and finish from a narrow angle past Krul, who was hung out to dry by his left-back. There have been some disturbances in the home end and it's almost as if the Italian was distracted by that. It was totally out of character from one of United's best players this season and now, from leading the tie, the Magpies trail to a goal all of their own doing.

61mins: The hard-working Perch limps off and is replaced by birthday boy Vurnon Anita, who has a huge role to play now. Benfica make a double change at the same time - the dangerous Rodrigo and Andre Gomes come off and Lima and Enzo Perez come on.

59mins: Rodrigo meets a great delivery with his head but he was climbing on the shoulders of his marker and it is spotted by the officials, who award Newcastle a free-kick as the ball goes over the bar.

56mins: Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa loses out to Rodrigo in the box and the frontman rolls the ball across to Cardoza, who has the goal at his mercy but can't divert his attempt on target as he stretches to slide the ball home.

50mins: Neat play from the hosts allows Gomes to shoot from 22 yards but his powerful strike flies well over the bar.

47mins: For the second time in this game, Papiss Cisse sees an effort hit the post and agonisingly roll across the line. Gutierrez broke up play and found Marveaux, whose through ball was perfect for Cisse. Artur raced from his line and Cisse simply dinked the ball over him from the edge of the area. It bounced once and, almost in slow motion, looked set to kiss the post and go in - but instead it stayed out.

46mins: The home side, in their red shirts and white shorts, get the second half started.

FIRST HALF UPDATES

45mins: Referee Antony Gautier blows the half-time whistle and it's 1-1. It looked like things might be even better after 12 minutes, when Papiss Cisse put United ahead then hit the post, but Rodrigo equalised midway through the half and since then the home side have shown why they're top of their league and unbeaten all season. Newcastle have stood firm, though, with Tim Krul inspired.

40mins: Another important block from Krul as Almeida's cross is headed goalwards by Nemanja Matic but Krul is in the right place to palm it away. Newcastle could really do with getting to half-time without conceding again because Benfica are piling the pressure on.

39mins: Rodrigo has another effort on goal but this one's from some way out and goes wide of Krul's goal without the Dutchman needing to perform any more heroics.

36mins: Galtan's low centre is met on the turn by Rodrigo and once again Krul comes to United's rescue with a magnificent reaction save as he somehow gets down to not only keep the ball out but hang onto it. He's put in some great displays in Europe so far and this is shaping up to be another.

29mins: Marveaux has another potshot from distance but sends it the wrong side of the near post. This has been some game with both teams going hell for leather.

28mins: Goalscorer Rodrigo is now booked for a clumsy foul on Cabaye on the half-way line. It's one each in terms of goals and now yellow cards too.

27mins: It's all happening now and Benfica have the bit between their teeth. A fantastic double save from Krul keeps United level - first he pushes away Rodrigo's shot and then, as Andre Gomes follows in, he pushes that one away too. Superb goalkeeping from a man who turned 25 yesterday and was hailed as one of the best in the world by Alan Pardew.

25mins - BENFICA GOAL (1-1): But now the scores are level. Krul made a fantastic save from Cardoza's piledriver but Rodrigo was first to react and tucked away the loose ball. From almost being 2-0 up, Newcastle now find themselves pegged back and the relief from the home fans is palpable.

23mins: So, so nearly 2-0. It's another great, swift move from the Magpies as Cisse touches the ball on to Sissoko, who in turn finds Jonas Gutierrez. The Argentine skins Almeida and sees his deflected low cross fall perfectly for Cisse. The striker's side-footed shot took a deflection which wrong-footed Artur and it looked destined to drop into the net but clipped the inside of the post and rolled across the line. That really would have made it advantage Newcastle if that had gone in.

20mins: James Perch is booked for a late sliding tackle on Gatlan and he has no complaints - it was a genuine attempt to nick the ball but the ex-Nottingham Forest man got nowhere near it.

18mins: Benfica try to respond through attacking right-back Andre Almeida, who whips in a great delivery which is met by Gatlan, sneaking into the area to get in a header, but he sends it wide.

14mins: Marveaux works space with those quick feet of his and then goes for a shot from outside the box with the outside of his boot. It lacks the power to truly trouble Artur but it's more good play from the Magpies.

12mins - NEWCASTLE GOAL (0-1): Newcastle United take the lead at the Estadio da Luz. Danny Simpson plays a lovely ball down the line to the rampaging Moussa Sissoko and he sends over a perfect low cross which Cisse taps home from around six yards. A superb counter-attacking goal from the Magpies and it gives them an away goal too, of course.

10mins: The hosts look happy to try their luck from distance and it almost pays off as Nicolas Gatlan hits a 22-yard strike which seems to move in the air and is unconventionally parried by Tim Krul, but the keeper is able to pounce on the loose ball before a red shirt can get there.

8mins: Benfica patiently work the ball to Andre Gomes nearly 30 yards from goal but the midfielder drags his shot well wide.

3mins: Now Cisse has another half-chance as Sylvain Marveaux clips the ball into the box but the striker's touch is just a shade too heavy, allowing Artur to slide at his feet and gather. Cisse had done well to beat the offside trap and had he brought the ball under his spell he was clean through.

2mins: Davide Santon spreads play with a nice pass from left-back which sails over left-back Melgarejo's head and is controlled by Papiss Cisse, who has made a good run. He's on his own on the right-hand side of the box, though, and has no option but to take a shot from a narrow angle which is easily dealt with by Artur, the Benfica keeper.

1min: There hasn't been too much light at the Estadio da Luz so far this evening; it's been rather overcast with heavy rain still falling as the game gets underway at this beautiful stadium in Lisbon. The famous pre-match eagle flight has taken place - it truly is spectacular and a wonder to behold - and then a fantastic show of scaves and banners from the fans. Now Alan Pardew will hope his side can put in a similarly impressive display as the Magpies take kick-off.

Benfica (4-3-3): Artur; Andre Almeida, Luisao (c), Ezequiel Garay, Melgarejo; Nicolas Gaitan, Nemanja Matic, Andre Gomes (Enzo Perez 61); Rodrigo (Lima 61), Oscar Cardozo (Maxi Pereira 77), Ola John

Subs not used: Paulo Lopes, Roderick, Urreta, Pablo Aimar

Newcastle United (4-2-3-1): Tim Krul; Danny Simpson (Dan Gosling 83), Steven Taylor, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, Davide Santon; James Perch (Vurnon Anita 61), Yohan Cabaye (c); Sylvain Marveaux (Shola Ameobi 81), Moussa Sissoko, Jonas Gutierrez; Papiss Cisse

Subs not used: Rob Elliot, Mike Williamson, Gabriel Obertan, Adam Campbell

Referee: Antony Gautier (France)