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The Financial Express

Champions League: Higuain, Dybala lead thrilling Juventus comeback against Tottenham

| Updated: March 09, 2018 12:27:39


Tottenham's Son Heung-min lay out on the Wembley turf, looking emotionally and physically spent after the final whistle. - Reuters photo Tottenham's Son Heung-min lay out on the Wembley turf, looking emotionally and physically spent after the final whistle. - Reuters photo

Tottenham's Champions League ambitions came crashing down as Juventus produced two goals inside three second-half minutes to decide the destiny of their last-16 tie.

Son Heung-min's scrambled finish six minutes before the interval strengthened Spurs' position at Wembley after they recovered from two goals down to draw the first leg in Turin 2-2.

In an eventful first 45 minutes on Wednesday, Son and Harry Kane had wasted chances for the hosts, while Juventus were denied a clear penalty when Douglas Costa was brought down by Jan Vertonghen, according to a BBC report.

Tottenham appeared to be in control until Gonzalo Higuain turned in Sami Khedira's flick to give Juventus a 64th-minute lifeline - which they capitalised on ruthlessly and Paulo Dybala raced clear for the decisive goal three minutes later.

Mauricio Pochettino's side fought to revive their chances but to no avail, coming agonisingly close in the dying moments when Kane's header hit the inside of the post but bounced right on the goal-line.

For Spurs, who last reached the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals in 2010-11, it was a first defeat in 18 matches, while Juventus are unbeaten since 22 November - a run of 20 games.

Elsewhere on Wednesday, Manchester City lost 2-1 to Basel but went through 5-2 aggregate win to join Liverpool in the quarter-finals.

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