UEFA Champions League
Spurs Qualify Thanks to Late Equalizer
Tottenham Hotspur left it late but managed to ensure qualification to the knockout stages after holding Barcelona to a 1-1 draw. Lucas Moura’s 85th minute equalizer sent the away fans into raptures. Spurs were under a considerable amount of pressure right from the get go. Since Barcelona scored very early in the game, Spurs’ qualification hopes looked bleak. Inter Milan had their work cut out for them in their game against PSV as well. But Inter also went behind early which was positive for Tottenham. If the two sides got identical results then Spurs would advance due to their better head to head record against Inter. But matters became far more tense.
Promising Barcelona Youngsters
Ernesto Valverde’s Barça had a vastly changed lineup for this game. They had already qualified and ensured top spot in Group B. The game even saw Carles Aleña and Juan Miranda make their Champions League debuts. Even goalkeeper Marc Andre ter Stegen was rested. In total seven regulars were rested. The youngsters showed their potential from the beginning of the game. They were confident on the ball and really good with their passing. Barça controlled the game well in the early stages and it paid off soon. In the 7th minute Ousmane Dembele pressed Kyle Walker-Peters and ran through on goal at a blistering pace. He then had the presence of mind to cut inside a diving Harry Winks and slot the ball home past Hugo Lloris.
This was bad news for Tottenham but a few minutes later in their game, Inter went behind to PSV thanks to Hirving Lozano. This meant that Spurs would go through as things stood. The pace of the game stagnated a bit after that. However, the North London side showed promising signs of getting back into it. Phillipe Coutinho came close as well right before the break with a curling shot that cannoned off the post. The first half ended with the hosts Barça 1-0 up.
Spirited Spurs Fightback
Mauricio Pochettino’s halftime team talk seemingly worked wonders for the Tottenham players. They came out blazing in the second half looking invigorated. For a good 25 minutes they had around 60% possession and did not allow Barcelona a single shot on target for that period. Lucas Moura came on a few moments later. This substitution would prove massively important for Pochettino’s men. Barcelona also brought on Lionel Messi, which is never something that an opponent wants to see when they’re a goal down at the Camp Nou. Spurs kept up their display of intent though as they showed willingness to run at a rather inexperienced Barcelona back line. Jasper Cillessen also managed to keep Spurs at bay for quite a while with some great saves.
Then came another scare. Mauro Icardi had equalized for Inter in their game in the 73th minute. Tottenham were at risk of going out. In the 85th minute, Coutinho drifted into the box and whipped another shot at the far corner but it came off the post once again. A key moment in the game as moments later Tottenham would seize their destiny. Harry Kane fired in a cross from the left that Lucas Moura connected with and the ball flew home. The away fans jumped with joy at the final whistle as Spurs had ensured their progress into the Champions League Round of 16.
Spurs showed great grit and intent. They even ended the game with the slight majority of possession (51% to Barça’s 49%). They also completed 477 passes with a success rate of 86% as compared to Barcelona’s 461 passes. The fans as well as the players will be very relieved and happy.
Photo credit to Dickson Dagogo via Flickr
