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The Financial Express

Champions League: Tottenham stun Real Madrid 3-1 to reach last 16

| Updated: November 09, 2017 19:25:01


Tottenham's Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen and Fernando Llorente celebrate after defeating Real Madrid (Reuters photo) Tottenham's Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen and Fernando Llorente celebrate after defeating Real Madrid (Reuters photo)

Brilliant Tottenham Hotspurs clinched a spot in the Champions League knockout phase with an outstanding display to beat holders Real Madrid on a memorable night at Wembley.

The European champions in three of the last four seasons were not just beaten in north London, but dismantled with ease by a Tottenham lineup lacking that kind of Champions League pedigree.

Such was Tottenham's superiority, Madrid seemed fortunate to leave Wembley Stadium with only a 3-1 loss on Wednesday, reports AP.

While spurs celebrated qualifying for the knockout phase for only the second time, the Champions League holders were reeling from their first group-stage loss in five years.

Coming directly after its Spanish league defense was hit by a surprise loss at Girona, the psychological impact will be even greater for Zinedine Zidane's team.

Madrid's fragile defense was beaten too easily by Tottenham, a club that hasn't won the English league since 1961 but has finished third and second in the Premier League in recent seasons.

Dele Alli, suspended for the opening three games in Group H, made an explosive return to the Champions League with two goals.

The victory took Tottenham three points clear of Madrid at the top of the group, ensuring passage into the last 16 with two games to spare. Tottenham has only competed in the knockout phase once before - in the 2010-11 season when it was eliminated by Madrid in the quarterfinals.

This was a night of frustration for Ronaldo, summed up shortly after Alli's goal when he hit the side netting and shot straight at goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.

He somehow managed to fire his sixth goal in this year’s competition to set up a frantic last 10 minutes.  

The only blip for Spurs was the injury to defender Toby Alderweireld who came off with a hamstring injury in the 24th minute.    

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