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 0-0 Sporting
Lucas released down the right and cuts inside, pulling back to Hojbjerg.
The Dane’s shot is poor though and skids wide for a goal kick.
Tottenham 0-0 Sporting
A cracking atmosphere at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Anorim already out screaming, Sporting playing out from the back nicely within two minutes.
Tottenham vs Sporting
Can Spurs bounce back from Sunday’s loss to Newcastle?
The pressure is on, but Conte has fielded an attack-minded team.
Time to deliver. We’ll have updates from Frankfurt vs Marseille throughout tonight.
Barcelona knocked out of Champions League as Inter Milan progress from Group C
Elsewhere in the Champions League, Inter Milan have secured their place in the last 16.
It’s at the expense of Barcelona, who are now six points off the Nerazzurri with an inferior head-to-head record.
Inter can still claim top spot with Bayern two points ahead, although the Germans only need two points or a draw in the final game with the Italians having already beaten them 2-0 in Milan.
Ben Davies on Tottenham’s hopes in Champions League
“It’s probably the most important game we’ve had in the group. It’s important to try to finish the job tomorrow and put us in the position where we can go to Marseille without needing a result.
“We know we’re up against a very good team. They are going to cause us some difficulties but we have to be ready for it. We know we have to be at our best.
“We’ve given ourselves every chance of going through this group. We have two big games left and hopefully we can secure qualification tomorrow.
“As a team, we are growing. We really believe that we could have played a lot better in the other games so far. There is definitely more to come for us.
“We’re a team working hard every day and our biggest aim is to get better and better. Hopefully, that can continue in this competition.”
Tottenham vs Sporting team news analysis
Well then, Conte does go for more width and ball-carrying ability in the shape of Lucas.
Perisic is lining up at wing-back too, so Spurs should have the double team down both flanks when the choose.
The game should be set up nicely in that respect.
Can Edwards impact the game and find the half-spaces between the Spurs wing-backs and outside centre-backs?
Tottenham vs Sporting confirmed lineups
Tottenham XI: Lloris; Romero, Dier, Davies; Doherty, Bentancur, Hojbjerg, Perisic; Son, Kane, Lucas Moura
Sporting XI: Adán; Inácio, Coates, Reis; Pedro Porro, Ugarte, Morita, Nuno Santos; Edwards, Paulinho, Trincao
Wales defender Ben Davies focused on Tottenham with World Cup on horizon
Ben Davies admits the World Cup is at the back of his mind but wants to help Tottenham Hotspur finish the first half of the season strongly before he turns attention to keeping Harry Kane quiet in Qatar.
The Spurs defender is set to be part of the Wales squad for next month’s tournament, which will be their first appearance at a World Cup since 1958 and only second in total.
Club colleague Richarlison recently sustained an injury that left the Brazilian in tears due to fears he may miss out on featuring for his national team in Qatar.
Wales defender Ben Davies focused on Tottenham with World Cup on horizon
The Spurs defender is set to be part of the Wales squad for next month’s tournament
Antonio Conte still yet to show he is Tottenham’s man for the big occasion
It may have been Sir Alex Ferguson’s second-most famous three-word phrase, not quite “football, bloody hell” but an addition to the sport’s lexicon nonetheless. “Lads, it’s Tottenham,” the magnificently damning team talk, was true then. It rarely has been in the Mauricio Pochettino years or, in a different way, in Antonio Conte’s reign. The Italian is the ranting antidote to the softness Ferguson inferred. In his own way, he brings intensity and identity to any club he manages.
Antonio Conte still yet to show he is Tottenham’s man for the big occasion
Conte could scarcely have named a more cautious Spurs side as they fell to a disappointing defeat at Manchester United
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