Real Madrid vs Tottenham - as it happened! Cristiano Ronaldo grabs equaliser after Raphael Varane own goal
Re-live all the action from the Santiago Bernabeu and from around the rest of Tuesday night's Champions League games
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 Hotspur travel to the Spanish capital on Tuesday night to face two-time reigning European champions Real Madrid.
Mauricio Pochettino's side have been in great form away from home - and away from that Wembley Curse - winning their last seven competitive games on the road.
But their opponents at the Santiago Bernabeu will be unlike anything else they have faced in that run stretching back to 18 May.
Follow live updates below:
Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and co have been the supreme team in Europe for the past two years and looked all but unbeatable until a wobble at the start of this season.
They will be without Spurs old boy Gareth Bale, but no matter: coach Zinedine Zidane can call on the likes of Isco and Marco Asensio in his place, such is their strength in depth.
Here’s everything you need to know about Tuesday night’s game:
What time does it start?
The game kicks off at 7.45pm (BST) at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday 17 October.
Where can I watch it?
BT Sport 2 will be broadcasting the game. Alternatively, return to this page for updates from out live blog.
It’s a big game for…
Harry Kane. The England forward has been front page news in Spain for two days running, with many tipping him to be a galactico of the future. Mauricio Pochettino is clearly keen for that not to happen and has instead talked up the 24-year-old into becoming Tottenham’s very own Francesco Totti: the AS Roma stalwart who played every season of his career in the Italian capital. But with Real coach Zinedine Zidane describing Kane as a ‘complete player’ and a potential move to the Bernabeu hard to turn down for almost any player in world football, tonight could be the perfect chance for Kane to prove his credentials at the very highest level.
Player to watch…
Isco. The diminutive Spaniard may not be the household name of some of his teammates, but for the past 12 months or so he has been the beating heart of this Real Madrid side - the man who really makes them tick. Playing in a deep number 10 role, the 25-year-old is a magnet for the football and is often the one to play that defence-splitting pass or assist for an assist. Pochettino revealed this week that he tried to sign Isco in the summer of 2016 - just before his meteoric rise. It could really rub salt into the wounds if he plays a defining role against Spurs tonight.
Form…
Real Madrid: WWWWL
Tottenham: WWWWW
Odds…
Real Madrid: 4/9
Draw: 15/4
Tottenham: 6/1
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of tonight's Champions League action!
Our man focus here will be Tottenham's trip to Real Madrid but we'll also be bringing you score updates from around Europe as Liverpool take on Maribor and Manchester City host Napoli.
Liverpool team to face Maribor confirmed
Starting XI: Karius; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Lovren, Moreno; Milner, Wijnaldum, Can; Salah, Coutinho, Firmino
Subs: Mignolet, Gomez, Klavan, Henderson, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Solanke, Sturridge
Manchester City team to face Napoli confirmed
Starting XI: Ederson; Walker, Otamendi, Stones, Delph; Fernandinho, De Bruyne, Silva; Sterling, Sane, Jesus
Subs: Bravo, Aguero, Gundogan, Danilo, Yaya Toure, Mangala, Bernardo
Real Madrid vs Tottenham team news
Real Madrid starting XI: Navas; Achraf, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Casemiro, Modric, Kroos; Ronaldo, Isco, Benzema
Subs: Casilla, Nacho, Theo Hernandez, Lucas Vazquez, Llorente, Asensio, Ceballos
Tottenham starting XI: Lloris; Alderweireld, Sanchez, Vertonghen; Aurier, Sissoko, Dier, Winks; Eriksen, Kane, Llorente
Subs: Vorm, Foyth, Trippier, Rose, Georgiou, Walker-Peters, Son
Will the Tottenham striker outshine Ronaldo tonight? Or will the four-time World Player of the Year prove his class once more to get Real Madrid over the line?
Pochettino: We need to prove we can kick it with the best
Spurs are level on points with Real Madrid after two matches in Group H and manager Mauricio Pochettino sees tonight's fixture as the perfect chance for his players to prove they belong in the big time.
"It is a big opportunity for us to show that we can compete at this level," he said earlier this week.
"It is so special to play here in the Champions League. It is a great opportunity for us all and we are so excited."
Zidane: Spurs aren't a one-man team
Harry Kane has been Tottenham's and England's star man so far this term but Zinedine Zidane, the Real Madrid manager, doesn't believe merely dealing with the in-form striker will ensure an easy night for his players.
With the likes of Christian Eriksen and Toby Alderweireld also in the Spurs side, Zidane knows Mauricio Pochettino's men have the capacity to be dangerous in all areas of the pitch.
"Both teams have the same points," Zidane said earlier this week. "Tottenham are not just about Kane and we're going to prepare for this game well."
Ferdinand: Madrid test a great audition for Kane
Rio Ferdinand reckons tonight will provide Spurs hitman Harry Kane with the perfect chance to prove he is capable of playing for a club the size and stature of Real Madrid in future.
"This is a great audition for someone like Harry Kane," Ferdinand said on BT Sport a few moments ago.
"If he's ever thinking about leaving Spurs, where he's the golden boy, this is the kind of game he wants to play in and produce his best football and show he can be put in the top tier."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments