Newcastle United will continue their pre-season preparations as they take on Benfica at the Estádio da Luz this evening. The Magpies last came up against the Eagles back in the Europa League in 2013.
It was a remarkable feat that Newcastle were playing European football the year after winning promotion back from the Championship. Alan Pardew guided the Toon to a fifth placed finish and enjoyed a decent run on their way to the Quarter Finals where they'd face Jorge Jesus' side.
Benfica would win the first-leg 3-1 in Portugal despite Newcastle taking the lead through Papiss Cisse after just 12 minutes. Rodrigo equalised after 25 minutes before two second-half goals left Pardew's side with a mountain to climb, but the Magpies boss remained hopeful.
