Tottenham’s rollercoaster ride to the Champions League final
Mauricio Pochettino’s side only just made it out of their group.
The last-gasp nature of Tottenham’s progress to the Champions League final was fitting considering the competition they have had.
Spurs, who beat Ajax with only seconds of the semi-final second leg remaining, have dealt in late drama throughout their campaign.
Here, Press Association Sport takes a closer look at their antics at the death.
Inter Milan (a) – September 18
The tone was set in their opening group game at the San Siro way back in September. Spurs were cruising towards victory over Inter Milan as they led through Christian Eriksen’s strike. However, a late collapse saw the Italian side score two goals through Mauro Icardi and Matias Vecino in the final five minutes to inflict an early defeat on Mauricio Pochettino’s side.
PSV (a) – October 24
Having also lost their second group game against Barcelona, Spurs could really have done with a win against PSV and it looked like they were going to get it after Lucas Moura and Harry Kane goals overturned Hirving Lozano’s early opener. But Hugo Lloris saw red and Spurs shipped an 87th-minute equaliser to Luuk de Jong to leave them with just one point at the halfway stage of the group.
PSV (h) – November 6
Inter Milan (h) – November 28
This was effectively another shootout for Spurs as anything other than a win would have been the end of the road and they found life tough against an Inter Milan side who came for a draw. It was not pretty but Pochettino’s men found a way through in the 80th minute when Christian Eriksen fired home.
Barcelona (a) – December 12
Borussia Dortmund (h) – February 13
Manchester City (h) – April 9
In the first European game at their new stadium, Spurs made it a night to remember when they took the advantage in their quarter-final with City. Hugo Lloris had saved an earlier penalty from Sergio Aguero, but Pep Guardiola’s side were strangely passive and Son Heung-min put Spurs 1-0 up with 12 minutes remaining – a goal that proved crucial.
Manchester City – April 17
Not even their experience of late drama could have prepared Tottenham for what was waiting for them in the quarter-final second leg at the Etihad Stadium. The start was incredible enough as five goals in the first 21 minutes made it 3-3 on aggregate, but after Sergio Aguero’s fourth goal for City had been cancelled out by a controversial Fernando Llorente strike, Spurs were heading through on away goals going deep into injury time. But, heartbreak appeared to strike as Raheem Sterling converted for Manchester City to spark amazing scenes of celebration for the hosts and despair for Spurs. However, in incredible drama, the goal was chalked off by VAR for offside and the emotions switched, with Pochettino’s men progressing.
