Champions League Live: Latest score, team news and updates as Newcastle welcome Benfica to St James' Park as Man City travel to Villarreal

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Follow Daily Mail Sport's live blog for the latest score, team news and updates as Newcastle host Benfica at St James's Park, whilst Man City travel to Estadio de la Ceramica to take on Villarreal, with Craig Hope and Jack Gaughan reporting from the grounds.

Breaking:Newcastle team news: Woltemade STARTS

Mourinho: 'The players have to enjoy it'

Jose Mourinho, Benfica manager:

It is beautiful. Of course they are going to play with the Newcastle players but they will respect us as an opponent.

It is beautiful to play here. It is a different profile to the London stadiums and we have to cope with that emotion. As I was saying, the players have to enjoy it and I think they are going to do it.

It is going to be difficult for us and we have to impose our qualities. In some moments where Newcastle impose things where they are superior to us, we have to cope with it.

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Guardiola: 'Qualifying is a sign of quality'

Pep Guardiola, Manchester City manager:

You can always talk about what happened in the previous eight seasons. My mind is not on last season, it is about where we are as a team.

We can think about last season but we can also talk about two seasons ago, three seasons ago, four seasons ago.

In such a competitive league like Spain or England qualifying for the Champions League is a sign of quality. It’s not about defending, there’s a lot of factors.

I admire and respect him (Villarreal manager Marcelino Garcia Toral) very much but on the other hand we are looking forward to playing a good game tomorrow.

epa12468305 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola attends a press conference in Villarreal, Spain, 20 October 2025. Manchester City will face Villarreal CF in their UEFA Champions League soccer match on 21 October. EPA/Andreu Esteban

Howe: 'There is transition'

Eddie Howe, Newcastle manager:

Whenever you bring players in and lose players that brings in transition. Hopefully we have got the balance right in not losing their identity.

The effort is there, the commitment is there but sometimes we haven't played with enough quality.

As long as we see the attitude we will get consistent results but there is no doubt when you lose players there is an element of fine tuning things.

Eddie Howe, Head Coach of Newcastle United speaks to the media ahead of the UEFA Champions League match against Benfica at St James' Park on October 20, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

And what about Villarreal?

The LaLiga side have had a decent time of things domestically this season, also sitting third in their respective table. Real Madrid and Barcelona are the top two, and Villarreal are the best of the rest.

In the Champions League, they lost to Tottenham in the first week, and drew with Juventus in week two.

A seriously tough start, and today will be no different, but they could be OK.

At the weekend, they drew with Real Betis 2-2.

Alberto Moleiro of Villarreal CF in action during the UEFA Champions League, semifinals, football match played between Villarreal CF and Juventus de Turin at the Ceramica Stadium on October 1, 2025, in Castellon, Spain. (Photo By Ivan Terron/Europa Press via Getty Images)

Villarreal's Spanish coach Marcelino Garcia Toral attends a press conference on the eve of the UEFA Champions League, League Phase - Matchday 3, football match between Villarreal CF and Manchester City at the Ceramica Stadium in Vila-Real, on October 20, 2025. (Photo by Jose JORDAN / AFP) (Photo by JOSE JORDAN/AFP via Getty Images)

The standings

I won't show you the whole league table - that would be pointless after just two rounds of matches, but I will just highlight where these two sit.

Remember, finish first to eighth and you are through to the last-16. Finish ninth to 24th, and you have a play-off round.

8th: Man City
11th: Newcastle
26th: Villarreal
33rd: Benfica

A long way to go of course - each team will play eight matches each - but a decent indication.

A look at Benfica

The Portuguese side have soared in terms of interest in their season since Jose Mourinho returned as manager just weeks ago.

They are third in the Primeira Liga, but have found it hard going in the Champions League so far. They lost their first match against Qarabag 3-2 despite two early goals, and fell short when Mourinho made his return to Chelsea before the international break too.

They did win at the weekend, beating Chaves 2-0 in the Traca de Portugal, but will need to start picking up some points in this competition soon too before it's too late.

Jose Mourinho Head Coach of SL Benfica reacts on the side line during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD2 match between Chelsea FC and SL Benfica at Stamford Bridge on September 30, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Nigel French/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)

Newcastle arrivals

Newcastle players and staff have arrived at St James' Park ahead of what promises to be another special night here.

All looking sharp - especially you, Jason Tindall.

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'Our train was stuck in the middle of nowhere'

By Jack Gaughan At The Estadio De La Ceramica

It might be that City’s travelling fans arrive in dribs and drabs later because the train service between Valencia and Villarreal has been dreadful.

Our train was stuck in the middle of nowhere for a good half an hour, although thankfully we’re back on our way now.

City frustrated last time out

Manchester City have four points from their two matches so far this season, with three of them coming against 10-man Napoli on the opening day.

They will have been disappointed with their last result, drawing 2-2 in Monaco.

After going 1-0 down early, an Erling Haaland brace got the 2023 champions on track for victory, but Eric Dier bagged a late penalty to cost the English side.

It won't both them too much, but they will be keen to get back to winning ways today.

Erling Haaland of Manchester City scores his goal despite Mohammed Salisu of Monaco during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD2 football match between AS Monaco (ASM) and Manchester City at Stade Louis II on October 1, 2025 in Monaco, Monaco. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)

Newcastle with one win on the board

After a tough home game against Barcelona on matchday one, Newcastle announced themselves in this year's Champions League with a big win last time out.

It was a 4-0 win over Union Saint-Gilloise for Eddie Howe's men, in what was arguably their best showing in the competition since they returned three years ago.

It is so important for them to back that up today.

The Champions League is back!

The Championssssss!

Sorry, I have to do that every time. But welcome to Daily Mail Sport's live coverage for two Champions League matches tonight - Newcastle vs Benfica and Villarreal vs Manchester City.

Don't you just love elite European competition? I certainly do. And it's back today!

Kick off is set for 8pm, but we'll have all the latest coverage and build-up ahead of the game, so stay tuned and strap in!

Newcastle United Head Coach Eddie Howe smiles during the Newcastle United Training Session at the Newcastle United Training Centre on October 20, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)