Tottenham vs Real Madrid - as it happened: Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen secure historic European victory
Re-live the action from Tottenham's thrilling 3-1 victory over Real Madrid at Wembley
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Tottenham host Real Madrid at Wembley Stadium on Wednesday night hoping to welcome Harry Kane back into their starting XI.
This crucial clash with the European giants has been prefaced by two difficult games without their star striker. After the successive losses to West Ham in the League Cup and Manchester United in the Premier League, manager Mauricio Pochettino will be optimistic that the return of the talismanic forward will ensure he retains his record of never losing three in a row at Spurs.
The Argentine can also take heart from his side’s strong showing in the first-leg of this Group H double-header. Scrapping hard for a 1-1 draw at the Bernabeu two weeks ago, the north Londoners will now be looking to take the attack to their Spanish visitors at Wembley, knowing that a victory here would confirm their place in the knockout rounds, whilst a draw and another between Borussia Dortmund and APOEL would leave them needing only a single point from their two remaining games.
With this comparative lack of pressure, Spurs will be eager to have a go at Los Blancos on their (adopted) home turf, especially given Madrid’s indifferent start to the season. Losing 2-1 to league newbies Girona at the weekend, the reigning Liga champions now sit eight points adrift of Barcelona at the top of the table. They will also be forced to travel to London without both Raphael Varane and ex-Spurs forward Gareth Bale, who are both nursing muscular injuries.
Boosted by the very probable return of Kane, then, and with Dele Alli also returning from a three-match suspension, a rejuvenated Tottenham line-up will see tonight as the ideal opportunity to record a famous victory under the Wembley Arch.
Please allow a moment for the blog to load.
What time does it start?
Tottenham vs Real Madrid kicks off at 19:45 GMT.
Where can I watch it?
The match will be shown live on BT Sport 2 from 19:00. Highlights will be shown at 22:15 on BT Sport 2.
It’s a big game for…
Luka Modric: Although the spotlight has been on world-record signing Gareth Bale returning (or not, as it has transpired), to north London, we should not forget the diminutive midfielder, who will be making his first return to Spurs since departing in 2012. The usually metronomic Croatian was out-of-sorts against Girona, misplacing over 30% of his passes, and will be hoping for a strong recovery tonight.
Best stat…
1: Spurs have never beaten Madrid in their five competitive clashes, losing three times and drawing twice.
Remember when…
Madrid hosted Spurs in the quarter-finals of the competition in 2011. Two particular highlights include Peter Crouch getting two yellow cards within 14 minutes and – at about 3.27 – Sergio Ramos very nearly providing the assist of the century.
Player to watch out for…
Harry Kane: The latest player to join the Spurs to Madrid procession? The 24 year-old striker, amidst flattering comments from the Real hierarchy, has certainly been linked with a record-breaking move to the Spanish capital. If he does return for tonight, though, his mind will only be on one thing. Kane having a good night is the most sure-fire way that Spurs can create history.
Previous three meetings…
Real Madrid 1 (Ronaldo) Tottenham 1 (Varane (OG)), Champions League, October 2017
Tottenham 0 Real Madrid 1 (Ronaldo), Champions League, April 2011
Real Madrid 4 (Adebayor x2, Di Maria, Ronaldo) Tottenham 0, Champions League, April 2011
Form guide…
Tottenham: WWDWLL
Real Madrid: WWDWWL
Odds…
Tottenham: 28/13
Real Madrid: 23/18
Draw: 28/11
(Odds provided by 888 Sport)
GOAL! Spurs 3-1 Real Madrid (Ronaldo)
81' - Cristiano Ronaldo pulls one back for Real Madrid as his close-range shot deflects off Eric Dier and past Hugo Lloris.
Can the reigning European champions mount an unlikely comeback from here?
85' - Cristiano Ronaldo lets fly from distance but his well-struck shot is straight at Hugo Lloris and the Spurs keeper makes the save.
87' - A small scuffle breaks out at Wembley and unsurprisingly Sergio Ramos is involved. He and Moussa Dembele square up after a coming-together but both men escape without a yellow card.
89' - ... aaand Moussa Dembele goes into the book just moments later for a wild swipe at, you guessed it, Sergio Ramos!
90' - Three minutes of added time to go at Wembley.
Meanwhile, Sergio Ramos has just gone into the book for sarcastically applauding the referee. Vintage.
Full-time - Spurs 3-1 Real Madrid
The final whistle goes and Spurs have smashed Real Madrid at Wembley! Two goals from Dele Alli and another from Christian Eriksen were all that were required against an under-par Los Merengues.
Meanwhile, Liverpool have got a third against Maribor at Anfield through Daniel Sturridge and City are 4-2 up in Naples after a goal in injury-time by Raheem Sterling.
Reaction from Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen
Dele Alli: "It was a fantastic performance. We knew if we stuck to our game plan and stayed solid at the back we'd get chances. It could've been more today but we're very happy with the result
"With the team we've got here, we don't just want to compete with teams like this. We want to be winning."
Christian Eriksen: "We played a professional game. We got what we wanted. We could've scored more with a bit more composure.
"This is something we can build on. We need to keep it going."
Quotes from BT Sport
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments