Tottenham vs Sporting Champions League result, final score and reaction after Kane strike ruled out - live
A last-gasp Harry Kane goal was ruled out by VAR After Rodrigo Bentancur cancelled out Marcus Edwards’ effort
Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur’s late header salvaged a 1-1 draw against Sporting to keep the London side in control of Champions League Group D but it could have been even better as Harry Kane’s late effort was disallowed on Wednesday.
Victory for Spurs would have booked their place in the last 16 with a game to spare and they thought they had sealed it with almost the last kick of the game when Kane fired in from close range after Emerson Royal’s header across goal.
It sparked wild celebrations but joy turned to frustration as a VAR check that lasted several minutes ruled the goal out for offside -- prompting a furious reaction from Spurs manager Antonio Conte who was shown a red card in chaotic scenes.
“I thought because it went backwards and hit a defender it was a different phase of play,” Tottenham‘s Matt Doherty said of the decision that left many scratching their heads.
“I’ll have to look at the rule book. A few of us don’t have a clue what happened.”
The result left Tottenham top of a desperately tight group on eight points, with Sporting and Eintracht Frankfurt, who beat Olympique de Marseille, on seven. Marseille have six points.
Spurs will qualify for the last 16 if they avoid defeat in Marseille on Tuesday when Sporting host Frankfurt also needing a point to guarantee a place in the knockout stage.
Sporting were by far the better team in the first half and took the lead in the 22nd minute through former Spurs player Marcus Edwards.
Tottenham were vastly improved after the break and peppered the Sporting goal in their search for an equaliser with keeper Antonio Adan making several saves to preserve his side’s lead.
Sporting substitute Flavio Nazinho spurned two great opportunities to make the points safe -- the second an open goal - and in the 80th minute those misses looked even more costly as Tottenham levelled.
Ivan Perisic swung in a corner and midfielder Bentancur rose highest to head powerfully past Adan.
There was still more drama to come with Spurs keeper Hugo Lloris forced into a great to deny substitute Fatawu Issahaku before Kane’s disallowed effort meant that Sporting finished the game well in the hunt for a last 16 spot.
Tottenham 1-1 Sporting
Another chance!
Son from range and Adan punches into the direction of Bentancur.
But Gil takes it off the Uruguayan’s feet, but the Spaniard gives it back to him.
But he leans back and fires over. Just two minutes of the five added on left.
Tottenham 1-1 Sporting
It’s Dier again!
What a miss, another glancing header from six yards.
Anorim kneeling down and watching the grass in front of him, that is the tension for the visitors.
But suddenly Lloris into action and pushes a powerful hit from Fatawu just wide.
Tottenham 1-1 Sporting
Emerson sucking all the momentum out of the stadium with a dreadful no-look pass straight out for a goal kick.
St Juste is covering well to deny Son sent free down the left.
Sporting now retreating and would surely take the point now.
Tottenham 1-1 Sporting
Spurs think they’re about to strike a winner.
A vicious ball and Dier is there to flick the ball narrowly wide with Bentancur ready to pounce at the far post.
If Dier doesn’t make contact, Bentancur will tap in for 2-1.
GOAL! Tottenham 1-1 Sporting (Bentancur)
GOAL! Bentancur heads into the open net after Adan came for the corner, 1-1!
Sporting are furious and want a free-kick, but Adan just has to do better.
Tottenham 0-1 Sporting
Lloris to the rescue!
Nazinho in on goal and should finish the game.
And it’s Nazinho again on the rebound after Porro’s fierce strike.
This should be two with Lloris out of goal, but Nazinho passes wide of the post.
Tottenham 0-1 Sporting
What an effort from Dier, a header flicked up at the near post.
It spins viciously down towards that top right corner, but it’s not enough and lands on the roof of the net.
Tottenham 0-1 Sporting
Tottenham 0-1 Sporting
Adan to the rescue as Perisic finds Doherty from one wing back to the other.
It’s driven low to the bottom right corner, but the Sporting stopper saves well.
Sporting now boxed in and Gil whips one in with his left boot from the right wing.
It curls in and spins up and out for a goal kick.
Tottenham 0-1 Sporting
Son now on the right and dribbles on the outside to the byline.
The move will be brought back for offside, but the Korean is Spurs’ only source of creativity.
Inacio was a little close to Son earlier, pulling at his shirt, it’s not a penalty but he needs to be careful.
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