Benfica 3 Newcastle 1
Newcastle United have opened a prayer room at their training ground. Despite being used primarily by the squad's seven Muslim players it is designed for multi-faith use and might be unusually full during the coming days.
In possession of a valuable away goal, Alan Pardew's side still have a slender chance of turning this Europa League quarter-final around but they could probably do with some sort of divine assistance next Thursday if the extremely accomplished Portuguese league leaders are to be overcome on Tyneside.
On a night when Papiss Cisse shone and was unlucky not to complete a hat-trick after giving Newcastle an early lead, a couple of second-half misjudgements from and Steven Taylor permitted an initially startled Benfica to fully reassert themselves.
Then Steven Taylor handled a cross in the area and Cardoza stepped forward to take the penalty. He converted it but saw that attempt disallowed for an encroachment before retaining sufficient poise to retake it and curve an audacious kick towards the top corner, narrowly evading Krul's reach en route.
Newcastle fans had barely stopped admiring the eagle which circles the stands before each of Benfica's home games when Cisse might have given Alan Pardew's side the lead. Played in by Yohan Cabayein only the second minute, Cisse seemed almost startled to find himself with only Artur to beat and, perhaps sensing his momentary hesitancy, the goalkeeper saved his ensuing shot comfortably.
Soon it was Tim Krul's turn to be tested. Back in Newcastle's goal after a lengthy, ankle injury-induced, lay off, the Netherlands goalkeeper was almost caught out by Gaitan's dipping, 25-yard shot and very nearly parried it into the path of Benfica's star striker, Oscar Cardoza. Fortunately for Krul, he somehow managed to grasp the loose ball before Cardoza could quite manage to connect with it.
With Rodgrio particularly starting to move elusively and dangerously, it seemed Jorge Jesus's side might take control, but Newcastle possess the pace to damage opponents on the break these days and they duly proved it.
Danny Simpson, recalled from Alan Pardew's deep freeze at right back as Mathieu Debuchy was ineligible, sent a cute ball whizzing down the right. Pouncing on it Moussa Sissoko accelerated down that flank before slamming in a low cross. From the edge of the six-yard box Cisse this time shot unerringly beyond Artur.
Pardew had been anxious to score an away goal in Lisbon and, after only 11 minutes, he had one. There might swiftly have been another, too, had Artur not brilliantly pushed another, albeit deflected, Cisse shot onto an upright following another cross, on this occasion from Jonas Gutierrez.
Jesus's side drew a collective breath and raised their game accordingly.When Krul, hardly enjoying a gentle return to arms, could only parry a viciously swerving Cardoza shot, the ball fell to Rodrigo who slipped a shot underneath the Dutchman. Krul, who shortly afterwards made an excellent double save to keep the score level, would be entitled to point a finger at his hitherto hugely impressive defence for fleetingly losing concentration and allowing Cardoza the time to adjust his angles and manoeuvre himself into an ideal shooting position.
Pardew's players were learning fast that any slapdash concession of possession would invariably turn out potentially costly. One such lapse prompted a wonderful Benfica passing sequence which ended in the diving Krul denying Gaitan.
Newcastle looked on the ropes but, commendably defiant, they hauled themselves upright, waded back into the midfield contest, regained a measure of possession and reignited the evening. When Sylvain Marveaux selected a beautifully weighted, defence bisecting pass, Cisse dinked a left-foot shot and watched it bounce, tantalisingly, off a post.
Then, with Krul stranded, Pardew enjoyed a moment of luck. Changing pace, Rodrigo outstripped Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa crossed and, albeit stretching, Cardoza infuriated his usually adoring public by dragging his shot wide of an invitingly empty goalmouth.
It proved a brief visiting renaissance. When Davide Santon attempted an unwise backpass to Krul it was gratefully intercepted by Lima who shot Benfica into the lead.
