Five things we learned as Tottenham stunned Real Madrid to blow the Champions League wide open

Tottenham 3 Real Madrid 1: It was a historic night for Tottenham, who ran out convincing winners over the European champions

Alli scores for Tottenham, setting them on their way to a famous win (Getty)

Tottenham beat Real Madrid 3-1 at Wembley to take control of Champions League group H and record one of their most famous victories.

Dele Alli's first-half goal gave Spurs a deserved lead, though replays showed that Kieran Trippier was offside before putting in the cross that Alli would stab home.

But there was no question about his second-half strike, which deflected home off Sergio Ramos.

And Christian Eriksen's third - the culmination of blistering counter-attack play - sealed a remarkable Wembley night.

But what did we learn?

1. Kane makes welcome return

Kane recovered from injury in time to trouble Madrid again (Getty 2017)

The forward’s return made for a welcome sight after the 1-0 defeat at Manchester United over the weekend. Tottenham’s front line had lacked its usual urgency and directness in that loss, with Kane consigned to the sidelines. For all his talent, Son Heung-min struggled to fill the void and failed to provide Spurs with a reliable target man through which Tottenham’s forward play could be channelled.

But, back in the starting XI tonight, Kane showed what the north Londoners have been missing. After just 10 minutes he made his presence felt, darting into the Real box to meet a weighted Eriksen cross. Had his touch been better Spurs would have taken the lead there and then, but Ramos capitalised on Kane’s poor control to deny the Englishman a shot on goal.

In front of goal, that pretty much summed up his night. But elsewhere, he was sensational. Kane's willingness to run the channels helped Spurs break the lines repeatedly. His mere presence in attack occupied the Real Madrid centre-backs and his intelligent running distracted them enough to allow Dele Alli to ghost into spaces.

Kane's performance was everything a striker wants from a lone forward except a goal. And Mauricio Pochettino will absolutely make sure he knows that.

2. Pochettino selection raises eyebrows

Trippier proved crucial in the victory, even if Aurier seemed a better option (Getty)

While Kane’s inclusion made for a pleasant surprise, the exclusion of numerous Spurs first-team starters certainly raised a few eyebrows. Against the power and precision of Real Madrid (albeit not of lately), the expectation was that Pochettino would look to utilise his squad’s quicker players to catch the visitors on the break. Yet, the likes of Danny Rose, Son Heung-min, Serge Aurier and Moussa Sissoko all found themselves on the bench, while youngster Harry Winks once again returned to the fray.

But in the end - as ever - Poch got it right.

Kieran Trippier got the nod at right-back and got behind Marcelo in key moments. His first-time cross, though clearly offside, was brilliant for Dele Alli's opener and justified his inclusion on its own.

Though Spurs could have had more speed in the side to catch out Madrid, in the end the most important thing to their success was speed of thought. Those little moments like Eriksen's leave to Alli, then subsequent decoy sprint that held the defender just long enough to allow Alli to shoot and make it 2-0.

Pochettino already had Real Madrid's attention but tonight might have been the night he really made them fall in love.

3. Pride comes before a fall

Sergio Ramos was among those Madrid players to put in a sloppy performance (Getty)

As back-to-back European champions, a certain degree of arrogance is to be expected from Real Madrid – but such a trait has seemingly served to undermine Zinedine Zidane’s men, who failed to show the necessary respect to their English hosts tonight at Wembley. Indeed, Alli’s opener came as a direct result of such complacency.

It was Achraf who failed to clear with a long ball in behind, with Kane fiercely pressurising the Real Madrid defender to force a Tottenham throw-in. From there, the ball was recycled and played out wide to Trippier before being squared to the incoming Alli to tap in from two yards out. As a whole, Real looked lax in defence and generally half-hearted in possession, while passes further afield were being misplaced and played without any general purpose.

It was their season in microcosm and bodes ominously for their title defence. It was more sloppiness and a feeling that they made no efforts to step forward in the summer - which, when football is changing so fast around you, often means you're getting left behind.

4. Casemiro victimised by Spurs

Isolated by Spurs, Casemiro had a night to forget

Casemiro has had a peculiar career with Real Madrid.

He has, at different times, been a sellable commodity, political chesspiece, key man and now a midfield problem, targeted by opponents.

At Wembley we saw Spurs repeatedly try and run at the Brazilian, the man who is supposed to be in there as the back four's safety blanket and the man who liberates Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Isco.

But increasingly the way that teams force him to make difficult passes and expose his lack of speed is becoming an issue. Indeed, Tottenham danced around him as part of a sensational and historic win over Real Madrid. Casemiro is now one more problem for Zinedine Zidane to try and solve.

The problems are many, solutions appear to be few and time is undoubtedly dwindling.

5. Ronaldo makes it interesting

Ronaldo's late goal meant little in the end

Real Madrid had made some chances and, eventually, managed to breach Spurs' defence with the second goalmouth scramble of the game.

This time, instead of getting in the way of the ball, Ronaldo found the net and gave his side ten minutes of hope.

But once again Spurs tightened up, they barely gave up another good chance and they held on for a famous result that not only guarantees their passage to the next round - the knockout phase - but also makes them big favourites to secure an easier route through the competition as group winners