Tottenham will need at least a draw in Marseille in their final Champions League group game to qualify for the knockout stages after being denied victory in a dramatic final against Sporting Lisbon.
Spurs knew victory would guarantee a place in the last 16 but they toiled for long periods and were denied a last-gasp winner when Harry Kane’s strike was ruled out for offside while manager Antonio Conte was shown a red card in the ensuing chaos.
In a tense encounter, former Spurs youngster Marcus Edwards gave Sporting the lead in the 22nd minute with a fine low shot as they punished Conte’s side for a poor first-half display that drew loud jeers from the home fans.
Spurs were much improved after the break but were grateful for a crucial save from Sporting substitute Flavio Nazinho from keeper Hugo Lloris, who put goal with goal at his mercy.
They capitalized on those two escapes when Rodrigo Bentenker headed home from a corner 10 minutes from time – and both sides had chances to win in a busy finish.
Kane thought he had practically snagged it with the final kick – only for VAR to decide otherwise.
Spurs Pay For Slow Start
Spurs rue the VAR intervention that denied them the win but must also rue another slow start that allowed Sporting to control the first 45 minutes.
The growing rebellious mood inside the Tottenham Hotspur stadium was reflected in the angry reaction from supporters who were frustrated by a series of pointless and misplaced goals due to a lack of urgency.
It was all so different after the break when Spurs came alive, finally pressing Sporting and forcing keeper Antonio Eden into action.
However, they still looked vulnerable, and Lloris was rightly criticized for his errors in Sunday’s home defeat to Newcastle United – save for that crucial save from Nazinho, although the Sporting forward Shouldn’t have made a mistake with a second chance. It led to an open goal.
Spurs, having dragged themselves back into the game, had chances to secure the three points that would have made the trip to Marseille a formality but Eric Dier and Bentenker couldn’t find the target.
The game ended in chaos, with Conte sent off after wildly celebrating what he thought was the goal that sealed the knockout stages as Kane swept home Emerson Royal’s knock-out.
Spurs have work to do in Marseille and should learn from being punished for leaving it late to kick into gear.
Edwards Shows His Quality
It was perhaps inevitable that Marcus Edwards would score on his return to Spurs, a club where he had failed to achieve success despite his talent.
The 23-year-old is living up to his potential in Lisbon and followed up a fine performance in the first group game, which Sporting won 2-0, with another display full of promise here.
He was a constant threat until he faded after the break, threatening several times in the first half and giving Sporting the lead with a low short drill past Lloris as Spurs paid to stand up. .
Edwards now has an attitude of merit and he must have impressed all observers and those who remember him from his incomplete Spurs career, with how he performed here.
