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Tottenham 3-1 Real Madrid: Five talking points as Spurs crush the Champions League holders
Tottenham beat reigning European champions Real Madrid 3-1 at Wembley, qualifying from their Champions League group with two matches to spare.
Dele Alli scored in each half and Christian Eriksen made it 3-0 in the 65th minute before Cristiano Ronaldo scored a consolation goal for Zinedine Zidane’s Galacticos.
Here are five talking points from Wembley.
Alli announces his return to the European stage in style
Mauricio Pochettino admitted on Tuesday that the 21-year-old’s three-match continental ban, which ruled him out of the first half of this group stage, has possibly affected his motivation in the early months of this season, explaining some below-par performances and signs of frustration.
It cannot have been easy for Alli to watch the Champions League draw or to be around his team-mates as they prepared for the exciting matches against Borussia Dortmund and Apoel Nicosia and the rare opportunity to face Real at the Bernabeu.
He would have been counting the days until this match so while his form did not necessarily make him an automatic starter – he missed a sitter at Old Trafford on Saturday and Heung-Min Son has been in good form – it seemed a foregone conclusion that Pochettino would pick him.
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Alli certainly made the most of the opportunity and the occasion, marking his return to the pinnacle of club football with two goals against the reigning European champions, first finishing at close range from Kieran Trippier’s excellent cross and then seeing a second-half shot deflect off Sergio Ramos and beat Kiko Casilla.
He also played a key role in the build-up to Christian Eriksen’s goal and should have gone on to complete a dream hat-trick, only to head wide from six yards.
Alli’s form and temperament has been the source of discussion this season – isn’t it always? – but tonight he answered his critics, loud and clear.
Pochettino’s Tottenham come of age
There has been something brewing in north London for a while, with Pochettino overseeing continuous progress with a talented young squad.
It was a shame that last season they were unable to produce their best, or anything close to it, in the Champions League – but they are making up for it now and showing their true colours.
The 3-1 home win over Dortmund was impressive, as was the 1-1 draw at the Bernabeu, but this was something else – not just a victory over the European champions but an emphatic one.
Seven years ago, Harry Redknapp’s Spurs side announced themselves on the continental stage by beating Inter Milan – then the European title-holders – 3-1 at White Hart Lane.
Tonight Pochettino’s team emulated that memorable achievement with the very same scoreline, enjoying a famous night of their own which will also live long in the memory.
Spurs were given a tough group and many would have feared a repeat of last year’s disappointment, but the Lilywhites have now qualified with two games to spare.
They have surpassed all expectations, making a mockery of the so-called Wembley curse, and are now in pole position to top their group, ahead of the trophy’s latest winners – just as they did in 2010.
Trippier embodies Tottenham’s dramatic improvement on the continent
Serge Aurier’s pace and Champions League experience looked like important assets when Tottenham signed him from Paris St-Germain in the summer, and there were few surprises when the Ivorian was selected for the clash against Real at the Bernabeu last month.
However, Pochettino decided to pick Trippier for this evening’s return match at Wembley.
Given Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcelo were both lining up against him on Madrid’s left flank, the concern was that the England man might be outpaced.
This was certainly a notable test for the 27-year-old – and he passed it with flying colours.
While Ronaldo jinked outside him at one stage in the first half to test Hugo Lloris at his near post, Trippier otherwise defended smartly and became increasingly influential in the final third.
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When Harry Kane drove a crossfield ball over to him in the first half, the right-back produced a trademark volleyed cross that flew dangerously in front of the goalmouth, just lacking ome anticipation from Alli, who was lurking on the edge of the six-yard box.
Real failed to heed the warning, however, and the opening goal came from the very same scenario. This time Alli was ready and, as Trippier ran onto Harry Winks’ chipped pass and again volleyed the ball low into the danger zone, he was there to pounce.
Not content with that assist, Trippier went on to create another chance, beating two Real players before cutting the ball back to Moussa Sissoko, who miscued poorly, while Kane’s follow-up was blocked.
Given the full-back rarely runs at one opponent, let alone two, his confidence was obvious – and he would have had another assist had Alli buried his second-half header, having been gifted another golden opportunity due to another superb cross.
Trippier has certainly come a long way since his disappointing performances in last season’s Champions League campaign. Indeed, he perhaps personifies Spurs’ improvement as a whole.
Christian Eriksen rises to the occasion
The Dane was perhaps Spurs’ most disappointing player at the Bernabeu a fortnight ago, struggling to exert his usual influence. This evening was a different story, however, and he was key to their victory.
Eriksen found space right from the off and, along with the ever-impressive Winks, helped Spurs to pick holes in Real’s midfield and defence throughout.
He also provided a goal threat. A Kane cross was cut out in front of him in the second half, but the same duo combined to put Tottenham 3-0 up and send the home fans into dreamland in the 65th minute.
Spurs are at their best when Kane, Alli and Eriksen are all chipping in with goals and, although Real managed to keep Kane off the scoresheet again, that was not enough to save them from a chastening defeat.
Eriksen should also have had an assist near the end but, when he played substitute Fernando Llorente through on goal, the Spaniard dawdled and allowed Casilla to dive at his feet and smother the ball.
Toby Alderweireld limps off
The Belgian’s injury was the only real negative of the evening.
Embarking on a break upfield in the first half, Alderweireld pulled up in Real’s penalty box and dropped to the ground next to the visitors’ goal. Upon getting back to his feet, he quickly sank back down again, unable to continue.
It seemed the centre-back was holding his hamstring as he limped off, being replaced by Moussa Sissoko, and it remains to be seen how long he will be absent for.
The good news is there an international break after Sunday’s league match against Crystal Palace, and Spurs have already qualified in the Champions League.
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Pochettino and the supporters will nonetheless hope he does not miss too many of the top-flight fixtures that are on the horizon.
Hugo Lloris also seemed to be struggling a little bit with a groin issue after taking a tumble over Ramos early in the second half – although he played on. A weak kick in the closing stages suggested he had not shaken the problem off.
On the up side, Spurs’ defence coped well without Alderweireld, with Eric Dier slotting into the back line seamlessly – and Kane came through the contest without any obvious issues after returning from a hamstring strain.
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