MX23RW : Monday, May 13 05:25:50| >> :600:323183:323183:
May 8, 2019 at 8pm UK at ​Amsterdam Arena
Ajax
2-3
SpursTottenham Hotspur
de Ligt (5'), Ziyech (35')
FT(HT: 2-0)
Moura (55', 59', 96')

Spurs make the Champions League final - how they got there

Spurs make the Champions League final - how they got there
© Reuters
Mauricio Pochettino's side only just made it out of their group.

The last-gasp nature of Tottenham's progress to the Champions League final was fitting considering the competition they have had.

Spurs, who beat Ajax with only seconds of the semi-final second leg remaining, have dealt in late drama throughout their campaign.

Here, Press Association Sport takes a closer look at their antics at the death.

Inter Milan (a) – September 18

The tone was set in their opening group game at the San Siro way back in September. Spurs were cruising towards victory over Inter Milan as they led through Christian Eriksen's strike. However, a late collapse saw the Italian side score two goals through Mauro Icardi and Matias Vecino in the final five minutes to inflict an early defeat on Mauricio Pochettino's side.

PSV (a) – October 24

Having also lost their second group game against Barcelona, Spurs could really have done with a win against PSV and it looked like they were going to get it after Lucas Moura and Harry Kane goals overturned Hirving Lozano's early opener. But Hugo Lloris saw red and Spurs shipped an 87th-minute equaliser to Luuk de Jong to leave them with just one point at the halfway stage of the group.

PSV (h) – November 6

Two goals in the last 12 minutes from Harry Kane kept Spurs in the Champions League
Two goals in the last 12 minutes from Harry Kane kept Spurs in the Champions League (Adam Davy/PA)

For what would not be the last time, Tottenham were minutes from heading out of the competition as they laboured against the Dutch side in the reverse fixture at Wembley. They trailed to another Luuk de Jong goal and were on the brink of elimination until Harry Kane's double in the final 12 minutes, the second coming with three minutes remaining, allowing Spurs to live another day.

Inter Milan (h) – November 28

This was effectively another shootout for Spurs as anything other than a win would have been the end of the road and they found life tough against an Inter Milan side who came for a draw. It was not pretty but Pochettino's men found a way through in the 80th minute when Christian Eriksen fired home.

Barcelona (a) – December 12

Spurs needed to match Inter's result against PSV to progress in the final round of group games – not an easy task considering they were away at Barcelona. It got even harder when Ousmane Dembele sent the Spanish side into an early lead at the Nou Camp. But Lucas Moura got into the habit of rescuing his side with an 85th-minute leveller, which proved enough as Inter could only draw with PSV.

Borussia Dortmund (h) – February 13

Two goals in the last seven minutes against Dortmund effectively sent them through to the quarter-finals
Two goals in the last seven minutes against Dortmund effectively sent them through to the quarter-finals (John Walton/PA)

Having wrestled control of their last-16 first-leg tie against the Bundesliga side thanks to Son Heung-min's goal early in the second half, Spurs effectively put the tie to bed with a late two-goal blast in the final 10 minutes. Jan Vertonghen made it 2-0 in the 83rd minute and, with Wembley still rocking, Fernando Llorente added a late third, which made their second leg in Dortmund a formality.

Manchester City (h) – April 9

In the first European game at their new stadium, Spurs made it a night to remember when they took the advantage in their quarter-final with City. Hugo Lloris had saved an earlier penalty from Sergio Aguero, but Pep Guardiola's side were strangely passive and Son Heung-min put Spurs 1-0 up with 12 minutes remaining – a goal that proved crucial.

Manchester City – April 17

Not even their experience of late drama could have prepared Tottenham for what was waiting for them in the quarter-final second leg at the Etihad Stadium. The start was incredible enough as five goals in the first 21 minutes made it 3-3 on aggregate, but after Sergio Aguero's fourth goal for City had been cancelled out by a controversial Fernando Llorente strike, Spurs were heading through on away goals going deep into injury time. But, heartbreak appeared to strike as Raheem Sterling converted for Manchester City to spark amazing scenes of celebration for the hosts and despair for Spurs. However, in incredible drama, the goal was chalked off by VAR for offside and the emotions switched, with Pochettino's men progressing.

Ajax (a) – May 8

View this post on Instagram

SCEEEEENNNEESSSSS!!! 👊 #COYS

A post shared by Tottenham Hotspur (@spursofficial) on

A brave fightback against the Dutch side, where Spurs had battled back from a 3-0 aggregate deficit at half-time of the semi-final second leg, looked like falling just short and for the fifth time they were just moments from exiting the competition. Enter Lucas Moura. The Brazilian's two goals earlier in the second half had given his side hope and he completed a hat-trick in the most remarkable circumstances as he struck with just seconds of injury time remaining. It gave Spurs a 3-2 win on the night and they progressed on away goals on one of the most famous nights in the club's history.

Share this article now:
Ex-Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho leaves The Lowry hotel on December 18, 2018
Read Next:
Jose Mourinho accuses Ajax of being 'naive'
>

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
/esi/758/0/index.html - esi:0:site:0:-p-: {0}: - :T758:-: {0}: < ! - - T  758 {0} - - >  : 
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City38322495237298
2Liverpool38307189226797
3Chelsea38219863392472
4Tottenham HotspurSpurs382321367392871
5Arsenal382171073512270
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd381991065541166
7Wolverhampton WanderersWolves38169134746157
8Everton38159145446854
9Leicester CityLeicester38157165148352
10West Ham UnitedWest Ham38157165255-352
11Watford38148165259-750
12Crystal Palace38147175153-249
13Newcastle UnitedNewcastle38129174248-645
14Bournemouth38136195670-1445
15Burnley38117204568-2340
16Southampton38912174565-2039
17Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton3899203560-2536
RCardiff CityCardiff38104243469-3534
RFulham3875263481-4726
RHuddersfield TownHuddersfield3837282276-5416

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Login, I already have my ad-free pass
Log in to customise Sports Mole
Buy ad-free access (show me the options)
Buy monthly ad-free access for £1.20/month
Buy yearly ad-free access for £12 (2 months free)
Settings - Logout - Manage your account
Settings - Logout - Manage your account