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 0-1 Sporting
Edwards with another mesmerising run from the right, Spurs can’t get it off him.
Perisic with a cross into the box from deep, it’s poor again.
Hanging up there and that’s food and drink for Adan.
Tottenham 0-1 Sporting
Jermain Jenas says Spurs are “lost” and that there’s “no creativity” and everything is “backwards”.
Restlessness from Spurs fans now, groans and moans reverberating around Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Kane suddenly springs into life and feeds Son on the left side of the penalty area.
He shifts it to the left, brings it back to his right and curls a deflected effort into the arms of Adan.
Tottenham 0-1 Sporting
Over half an hour gone here and Sporting still comfortable in possession from deep areas.
No willingness from Spurs to win it high up the pitch, more to contain with Kane and Son jogging across the width of the centre circle.
Reis and Inacio having plenty of time, then it goes long from Adan, but Dier is able to thump a header back to the Sporting back line.
Tottenham 0-1 Sporting - Group D as things stand
As things stand Sporting are top of Group D.
They have a two point lead over Spurs in the live table, while Frankfurt are level with the Londoners as they lead Marseille 2-1.
OM are bottom on six points, but they host Spurs in the final game, knowing a win and a favour from Sporting could still take them through if things stay as they are.
GOAL! Tottenham 0-1 Sporting (Edwards)
GOAL SPORTING! EDWARDS!
The Lions roar in London, it’s the former Spurs man with a magical strike.
Time and space and then the cleanest of strikes low past Lloris.
No sign of a muted celebration either, Edwards loved that one.
Tottenham 0-0 Sporting
So close for Sporting!!
Paulinho strikes from close range after fine work from Pedro Porro.
Romero is slow and can’t catch Paulinho’s movement across the six-yard box.
A wonderful cross from Porro but it’s blazed over and Spurs survive.
Tottenham 0-0 Sporting
Spurs in on goal and Lucas looks to nudge it around Adan but the Sporting keeper is quick off his line.
The offside flag eventually goes up, but that was better from Spurs.
And now Kane in behind down the left, it’s too narrow to shoot, he blasts it across the six-yard box and Adan cuts it out nicely.
Tottenham 0-0 Sporting
Coates goes close for Sporting!
A powerful header from six yards, getting the space ahead of Romero.
He should do better, it comes off his shoulder and drifts wide.
Tottenham 0-0 Sporting
Sporting catching Spurs out down the left but Doherty is quick to cover and block any danger through Trincao.
Nice open game so far after 10 minutes played.
Reis is enjoying lots of time on the ball to bring it out from the back and pick his pass.
Tottenham 0-0 Sporting
And it’s Lucas who is looking the most threatening again for Spurs.
He dashes in behind the Sporting back line, but he can’t quite reach the lofted through ball.
Davies and Son working possession nicely down the left too now as Spurs start to take control.
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