Tottenham vs Frankfurt LIVE: Champions League result, final score and reaction after Son and Kane strike
Antonio Conte’s Spurs held off a late charge from Eintracht Frankfurt to go top of Group D in the Champions League
Tottenham Hotspur took a big step towards qualifying for the Champions League knockout stages after coming from behind to beat 10-man Eintracht Frankfurt 3-2 on Wednesday.
In a busy first half, two well-taken goals from Son Heung-min either side of a Harry Kane penalty calmed the home fans after Europa League champions Frankfurt had taken an early lead through Daichi Kamada.
Any hopes of a Frankfurt comeback were dashed on the hour mark when they were reduced to 10 men after defender Tuta was sent off for his second booking after twice bringing down Son on the left wing.
The German side did spook the hosts with three minutes remaining when Faride Alidou rose highest from an inswinging corner to head the ball in. But even with Kane missing another penalty, Spurs held on.
The win put Antonio Conte’s side top of Group D on seven points. However, it is still all to play for as Olympique de Marseille and Sporting are tied on six points, and Frankfurt remain in the hunt on four with two games left.
Spurs were held 0-0 at Frankfurt last week and the visitors started fast, their pressure paying off in the 14th minute when Tottenham defender Eric Dier lost control of the ball and Sebastian Rode squared it for Kamada to stroke in from close range.
Their joy was cut short six minutes later when Kane turned expertly during a Spurs counter-attack and played the ball through to Son who sprinted on goal, took two touches and side-footed past goalkeeper Kevin Trapp.
The equaliser also sparked Spurs into life, particularly Kane who burst forward in the 27th minute, riding three challenges before being barged over by midfielder Kristijan Jakic.
Initially, the referee waved away appeals for a penalty but after being referred to view the incident on the pitchside monitor, pointed to the spot from which Kane coolly converted for his 257th goal in all competitions for the club.
Spurs made it 3-1 in the 36th minute when midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg ran to the byline and floated in a cross for Son who struck the ball beautifully with his left foot into the roof of the net.
The South Korean could have had a hat-trick before halftime, but his angled effort was stopped by the outstretched boot of Trapp.
Son still tormented Frankfurt’s defence after the break, resulting in Tuta being shown a red card for twice bringing down the forward in the space of three minutes.
Just when the game was petering out, Frankfurt scored a second from a corner when Alidou rose highest to head in.
Kane had the chance to seal the win from the penalty spot after substitute Bryan Gil had been tripped in the box in the first minute of stoppage time.
He blasted his effort over the bar but Spurs held out for their first win in the competition since beating Marseille last month.
Spurs can seal their place in the last 16 for the first time in three years when they host Sporting on Oct. 26 when Frankfurt entertain Marseille.
Tottenham survive late scare as sensational Harry Kane and Son Heung-min down Frankfurt
A return to the top of the Champions League group for Tottenham Hotspur but, much more importantly, a return to form for Son Heung-in and Harry Kane. It wasn’t just that both scored twice each as Antonio Conte’s side came back from one down to beat Eintracht Frankfurt 3-2. It was that they were so fluidly setting each other up again, with the manner Son let fly with that volleyed third also reflecting the release both were feeling.
It’s of course too soon to say this was a turning point, especially given Kane skied a late penalty, but it was something to build on; a hugely positive moment. That was all the more important given the pressure, and all the more fitting because of the circumstances.
There were a number of factors that potentially played into this upturn.
One was the simple fact that Spurs had to win. The group looks so much easier now, but that wasn’t the case at 8pm on Wednesday night. It is also why the fourth match-day tends to be so decisive in these times. It’s where the group tables tend to finally split between the wealthiest and those there to make up the numbers. Frankfurt are now fighting to make sure they aren’t the latter.
Spurs survive late scare as sensational Kane and Son down Frankfurt
Tottenham vs Frankfurt result, final score and Champions League report after Kane and Son goals
Tottenham 3-2 Frankfurt
Spurs survive a late scare and take the points to move top of Group D by a point with two games to go.
But they face Marseille and Sporting still, with both on six points and one behind.
Tottenham 3-2 Frankfurt
Close for Frankfurt!
Alidou fires through a sea of bodies in the 95th minute and it’s smothered by Lloris.
Spurs survive!
PENALTY! Tottenham 3-2 Frankfurt
Gil with a superb run and taken out by Smolcic, Kane to step up and put the game away in stoppage time...
MISSED! Kane smashes over the bar, a terrible out of characted finish and it’s still 3-2.
Hope for Frankfurt still.
GOAL! Tottenham 3-2 Frankfurt (Alidou)
GOAL! Alidou pulls one back for Frankfurt, 3-2 and a tense finale coming up at Tottenham.
A dangerous ball and it’s glanced home, they don’t mess about either for the restart and a nervy final two minutes and stoppage time to come.
Tottenham 3-1 Frankfurt
This game is meandering towards the finish line with Spurs sitting on the 3-1 lead.
A standing ovation for Son and Lucas comes on in his place.
A free-kick for Frankfurt and it’s pumped long into the Spurs box but the ball drifts harmlessly wide, just five minutes remaining here.
Tottenham 3-1 Frankfurt
Lindstrom impressing again here for Frankfurt.
He dances inside of Dier and bends a lovely effort towards the top left corner but Lloris is there and tips it wide for a corner.
The Germans still a threat with 10 men.
Tottenham 3-1 Frankfurt
Marseille are 2-0 up at nine-man Sporting in the other Group D game.
It means as things stand Spurs are top of the group with two games to spare.
A one-point advantage to OM who are ahead of Sporting on the head-to-head basis.
Spurs’ home game against Sporting and the trip to Marseille in game week six will be even more gripping with just a point between the three sides.
Tottenham 3-1 Frankfurt
Kolo Muani is off and Rafa Borre replaces him.
Hasebe is now off and Dina Ebimbe is his replacement, plus Rode makes way for Smolcic as Frankfurt look to salvage some respect from the game and avoid conceding more.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments