Newcastle sweep aside Benfica in commanding Champions League display
Newcastle United delivered a statement performance at St. James' Park, sweeping aside Jose Mourinho's Benfica 3-0 in a commanding Champions League display.
Fermin Lopez scored a brilliant hat-trick, Marcus Rashford added two more and Lamine Yamal netted from the spot as the Catalan side overwhelmed the 10-man Greek visitors.
Lopez opened the scoring early, finishing from close range after Yamal's shot was parried. He doubled the lead on 37 minutes, latching onto a pass from Dro Fernandez before curling a low shot into the corner.
Olympiacos briefly threatened a comeback early in the second half. Ayoub El Kaabi converted a penalty via the post after a VAR check ruled Eric García had handled the ball in the area. But just minutes later, Santiago Hezze was shown a second yellow card for catching Marc Casado with an arm, leaving the visitors with 10 men.
The Blaugrana took full advantage. Yamal made it 3-1 from the penalty spot after Rashford was fouled. Rashford himself added the fourth with a low finish inside the box, and Lopez completed his hat-trick with a powerful strike from the edge of the area.
Rashford rounded off the scoring with a slick touch and drilled finish from the top of the box, sealing Barca's biggest Champions League win since their famous 6-1 comeback against PSG in 2017.
The result puts Barcelona on six points from three games, while Olympiacos remain winless and bottom of the group.