Inter capitulated to Christian Eriksen’s late goal for Tottenham and must wait for their place in the Champions League Last 16.
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Inter capitulated to Christian Eriksen’s late goal for Tottenham and must wait for their place in the Champions League Last 16.
Follow all the action as it happens from this game and Napoli v Red Star Belgrade on the LIVEBLOG.
The Nerazzurri only needed a point at Wembley to be sure of qualification to the Champions League Round of 16, but are still in a strong position and just need to improve upon Tottenham’s result at Camp Nou when they host PSV Eindhoven. Spurs now have the superior head-to-head record, as they scored more 'away' goals in the head-to-head.
The visitors were without injured Sime Vrsaljko. Spurs missed Kieran Trippier, Victor Wanyama, Davinson Sanchez and Mousa Dembele, with Danny Rose only just returning to training. The big surprise was seeing Erik Lamela and Lucas Moura starting, dropping Heung-Min Son, Christian Eriksen and Eric Dier to the bench.
As expected, Spurs started aggressively and Harry Kane tried to score from an improbable angle, denied by a combination of Samir Handanovic and the near post. Dele Alli also blasted just over on the counter and Lamela fired wide, while Lucas Moura finished off a dangerous counter with a poor finish straight at Handanovic.
On 38 minutes there was a genuine scare, as Harry Winks saw his right-foot curler from the edge of the box dip at the last moment to smack the top of the crossbar.
Radja Nainggolan had been a doubt to start and didn’t look right all evening, so went off just before half-time to make way for Borja Valero.
Within seconds of the Spaniard stepping on the field, he had a huge chance to take the lead, but got the ball caught under his feet and hesitated.
Inter started to build after the restart, with Politano’s pace on the counter causing problems on the counter, but Icardi’s pass back was over-hit, then Milan Skriniar just failed to get his head to an Ivan Perisic cross.
Spurs had their best chance of the game on 70 minutes, as substitute Christian Eriksen’s free kick took a deflection, putting Vertonghen off enough that his header was wide at the back post.
However, Hugo Lloris needed a fine save on Perisic at the near post, the ferocious finish after a smart give-and-go with Borja Valero.
Spurs finally found their breakthrough when Sissoko burst forward down the right, Dele Alli flicked on his pass for Eriksen relatively unmarked on the other flank to blast into the roof of the net.
Inter lost Stefan de Vrij to injury and Danilo D’Ambrosio stung the gloves of Hugo Lloris, then in stoppages on a corner the powerful Kwadwo Asamoah volley was charged down.
Tottenham 1-0 Inter
Eriksen 80 (T)
Tottenham: Lloris; Aurier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Davies; Winks (Dier 86), Sissoko; Lucas Moura (Son 62), Alli, Lamela (Eriksen 70); Kane
Inter: Handanovic; D'Ambrosio, De Vrij (Miranda 80), Skriniar, Asamoah; Vecino, Brozovic; Politano (Keita 82), Nainggolan (Borja Valero 43), Perisic; Icardi
Ref: Cakir (TUR)