Gent vs Tottenham - as it happened: Spurs shocked by Gent in Europa League defeat

Re-live all the action from the Ghelamco Arena

Tottenham's players after conceding in the second half (Getty)

After Tottenham's first Champions League campaign since 2011 came to an ignominious end in Monaco last November, Spurs now have the chance to redeem themselves.

It may not offer the same prestige or glory as Europe's top-flight competition, but the Europa League still offers Mauricio Pochettino's men the opportunity to broaden their exposure to and experience in continental football.

Indeed, Tottenham captain Hugo Lloris has urged his side to take tonight's fixture against Gent seriously. “In our mind it has to be like the Champions League,” he said. “It is still a good competition to win and we are all ambitious. We want to go as far as possible."

Both teams come into the game off the back of a defeat, with Spurs having lost 2-0 at Liverpool last Saturday, on the same day that Gent were beaten 1-0 at home by Eupen.

However, while Pochettino's side remain in Champions League contention in third place in the Premier League, Gent are down in eighth in the Belgian top flight.

Tottenham head into the tonight's last-32 first-leg as favourites but don't expect an easy ride.

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Thursday's Europa League last-32 fixtures:

United 20:05 Saint-Étienne

FK Krasnodar 16:00 Fenerbahçe

Olympiakos 18:00 Osmanlispor

AZ Alkmaar 18:00 Lyon

B Gladbach 18:00 Fiorentina

Celta Vigo 18:00 Shakt Donsk

FC Rostov 18:00 Sparta Prague

Ludo Razgd 18:00 FC Copenhagen

Astra Giurgiu 18:00 KRC Genk

Ath Bilbao 20:05 Apoel Nic

[16 February 2017 18:13 · Evan Bartlett]

11 minutes: chance!

Dele Alli fires one narrowly wide from 25 yards after a lovely bit of build-up play from Harry Winks and Ben Davies. Gent boss Hein Vanhaezebrouck puffs his cheeks. That was close.

[16 February 2017 18:15 · Evan Bartlett]

What is Tottenham's best chance of silverware this season?

[16 February 2017 18:17 · Evan Bartlett]

16 minutes

Both teams have started with good intensity this evening. Spurs have had the best chance of the game but Gent are by no means looking like pushovers. They're knocking it around well and putting Spurs under lots of pressure when they lose the ball.

[16 February 2017 18:19 · Evan Bartlett]

19 minutes: corner for Gent

[16 February 2017 18:22 · Evan Bartlett]

20 minutes: chance for Gent!

It looks like about four Gent players are offside but the linesman's flag stays down. Perbet controls with his chest and swings with his right foot... but he slices well wide of Lloris' goal.

[16 February 2017 18:23 · Evan Bartlett]

22 minutes

It's not been a great start for Spurs here who are not keeping hold of the ball like they usually do. Anfield hangover for the visitors?

[16 February 2017 18:25 · Evan Bartlett]

From our man in Belgium...

[16 February 2017 18:27 · Evan Bartlett]

25 minutes: frustration for Spurs

First Dembele, then Alli, give the ball away sloppily. The England midfielder clenches his fists in frustration and that sort of sums Tottenham's night up so far.

Gent immediately break up the other end and win a corner thanks to Alderweireld's block.

The home fans really are in good voice now.

[16 February 2017 18:30 · Evan Bartlett]

29 minutes: chance for Gent

Gent are getting a lot of joy down the Spurs left at the moment. Foket's cross is met on the edge of the area by Dejaegere but he can't keep his shot down.

[16 February 2017 18:31 · Evan Bartlett]

30 minutes

Another fine piece of play from Harry Winks to put Sissoko through on the right, but his weak cross is cut out at the near post.