Tseyi Agharaye
And that’s how you do it. Harry Kane had spoken of Tottenham needing to show they can rise to the biggest challenges, the main events, the pressure occasions, and here they did just that.
It was quite possibly one of the finest European performances by an English side in recent memory: a magnificent example of game management and big match finishing. Not just Kane’s goal, but the whole team display, keeping Borussia Dortmund at bay in the first-half, killing them off smartly in the second.
Mauricio Pochettino set Tottenham up to defend knowing Dortmund had to be aggressive, and they did so magnificently. Jan Vertonghen and Hugo Lloris carried on where they left off against Arsenal at Wembley on Saturday. They were outstanding.
Then, given one chance to end the game as a contest shortly after half-time, Kane did not disappoint. He is now Tottenham’s leading European goalscorer – an accolade he takes from Jermain Defoe and not, for once, from Jimmy Greaves – and this showed why. It was the perfect finish, from a perfect finisher – had Dortmund possessed one like him, they might have stood a chance.
Christian Eriksen’s pass in the heart of midfield was cut out, but the ball ran loose to Moussa Sissoko. He saw Kane’s sublimely judged run and reacted quickly; Kane, free of his markers, lashed a right foot shot past Dortmund goalkeeper Roman Burki. It was Tottenham’s first shot on target, only their second opportunity of note all game, but nights like this are not necessarily about dominance, but intelligence.
As Kane had noted, too often in the past Tottenham had found ways to lose the big ones, in all competitions. They did so in the Champions League a year ago, drawing and scoring two away goals against Juventus, leading them 1-0 at Wembley, and then conceding two in quick succession to go out in the last 16. It was imperative, Kane said, that they go deeper this time.
And some would have snorted in derision, given that they were defending a 3-0 lead. Yet Tottenham’s nickname has not become an adjective for nothing. On the plane out, their fans were taking absolutely nothing for granted.
The problem with three goal leads – and most coaches will understandably say that is a misnomer – is that it gives the advantaged team a dilemma. Hold what you have, or go for it again? In a 90 minute game there won’t be long to see out. But leading 3-0 from the first leg in Europe? That’s a lot of thinking time.
In 2012, AC Milan brought a four goal lead to Arsenal in this competition and almost lost the tie to strategic uncertainty. It wasn’t until Arsenal reduced the advantage to a single goal by half-time that Milan clearly identified what they had to do, and saw out the remaining 45 minutes.
So, early on at least, Tottenham appeared a little unsure. They are a good attacking team but with three centre-halves and two full-backs lying deeper than usual, it was clear Pochettino had instructed them not to take unnecessary risks, in the end the tactics worked and tottenham are in the last 8 for only the second time in their history.
As the Tottenham match was being played in Germany, an unlikely upset occur in Madrid, Spain where Ajax with a youthful squad shocked the Bernabeu faithful’s.
Things started well enough. Rafael Varane headed Lucas Vazquez’ cross on to the cross bar after just four minutes and the Bernabeu believed Madrid had simply slipped into Champions League gear. Little did they know that the wheels were about to come off.
First Toni Kroos lost the ball in midfield and in a flash Dusan Tadic was crossing for Hakim Ziyech to score past Thibaut Courtois.
That was after seven minutes of play. By the 18-minute mark, Madrid were going out. Tadic spun brilliantly away from Casemiro and ran at the heart of the Real Madrid defence. There was no resistance and it was Luka Modric left as the last man as David Neres got in behind him to slot the ball past Courtois.
On 28 minutes, injury was added to insult. First Lucas Vasquez went off due to injury and was replaced by Bale. Vinicius Junior followed soon after with Marco Asensio coming on. Madrid needed Bale more than ever yet still he was whistled on by many.
He came closest to getting Madrid back in it before the break hitting the frame of the goal with a lob.
Ajax almost made it three at the restart, but Courtois saved from Donny van de Beek. Karim Benzema broke down the left but after tricking his way past Ziyech, he went for goal with a wild shot that went well wide of the far post.
With Ajax’s next attack they scored the third and they got to celebrate it twice. Noussaire Mazraoul won the ball from Sergio Reguilon and when the ball reached Tadic, the best player on the pitch postage-stamped it past Courtois.
Referee Felix Brych stopped the play to consult VAR. The ball looked to have gone out when Reguilon was dispossessed.
Bale led the complaints and time stood still until Brych’s verdict sent the traveling Ajax supporters into raptures once more.
There was no way back now. Asensio gave supporters some hope by scoring for Madrid but it was wiped out by Lasse Schone’s direct free-kick past Courtois, who looked poorly positioned.
five minutes of added time were painful for Madrid. Bale was left hobbling after a knock on the ankle and Nacho Fernandez saw red for two bookings. They must get used to being out of the Champion League now. Ajax are in the quarter-finals and deservedly so.
At the end Ajax merited their qualification as they were the better team over the two legs. Madrid looked disorganized in defense and could not put passes together to threaten the Ajax defenders.
