From DAVID COVERDALE
Papiss Cisse fired Newcastle in front in the 12th minute but Benfica hit back after defensive blunders.
And boss Alan Pardew admitted: “It’s an uphill challenge now. We have done so much right and then gifted them a goal.
“I can’t fault the performance and the players.
“We are proud of the performance but disappointed in the result.”
Cisse fired in Moussa Sissoko’s cross to send the 3,500 travelling Newcastle fans wild and minutes later hit a post.
But the home side levelled in the 25th minute when Tim Krul could only parry Oscar Cardozo’s shot and former Bolton striker Rodrigo bundled the ball home.
Cisse then hit a post just after the break but Toon hearts were broken when Davide Santon’s awful backpass was intercepted by Lima.
He calmly rounded Krul to score.
Then Steven Taylor’s handball saw Cardozo score from the penalty spot after having to retake the kick.
But Pardew held out some hope for next Thursday’s second leg at St James’ Park.
He said: “The away goal could still come into it if we get the first goal.
“If we get one goal we only need one more but they are a quality side and we knew that.
“We can hurt them but we have to be careful because they are so good on the break.”
Wales manager Chris Coleman, working as a TV pundit, said: “Newcastle shot themselves in the foot. When you are playing good teams you don’t want to gift them goals.
“Santon hit an awful backpass and they paid the ultimate price.”
