Tottenham vs Sporting Champions League result, final score and reaction after Kane strike ruled out - live
A last-gasp Harry Kane goal was ruled out by VAR After Rodrigo Bentancur cancelled out Marcus Edwards’ effort
Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur’s late header salvaged a 1-1 draw against Sporting to keep the London side in control of Champions League Group D but it could have been even better as Harry Kane’s late effort was disallowed on Wednesday.
Victory for Spurs would have booked their place in the last 16 with a game to spare and they thought they had sealed it with almost the last kick of the game when Kane fired in from close range after Emerson Royal’s header across goal.
It sparked wild celebrations but joy turned to frustration as a VAR check that lasted several minutes ruled the goal out for offside -- prompting a furious reaction from Spurs manager Antonio Conte who was shown a red card in chaotic scenes.
“I thought because it went backwards and hit a defender it was a different phase of play,” Tottenham‘s Matt Doherty said of the decision that left many scratching their heads.
“I’ll have to look at the rule book. A few of us don’t have a clue what happened.”
The result left Tottenham top of a desperately tight group on eight points, with Sporting and Eintracht Frankfurt, who beat Olympique de Marseille, on seven. Marseille have six points.
Spurs will qualify for the last 16 if they avoid defeat in Marseille on Tuesday when Sporting host Frankfurt also needing a point to guarantee a place in the knockout stage.
Sporting were by far the better team in the first half and took the lead in the 22nd minute through former Spurs player Marcus Edwards.
Tottenham were vastly improved after the break and peppered the Sporting goal in their search for an equaliser with keeper Antonio Adan making several saves to preserve his side’s lead.
Sporting substitute Flavio Nazinho spurned two great opportunities to make the points safe -- the second an open goal - and in the 80th minute those misses looked even more costly as Tottenham levelled.
Ivan Perisic swung in a corner and midfielder Bentancur rose highest to head powerfully past Adan.
There was still more drama to come with Spurs keeper Hugo Lloris forced into a great to deny substitute Fatawu Issahaku before Kane’s disallowed effort meant that Sporting finished the game well in the hunt for a last 16 spot.
Matt Doherty reacts to Tottenham 1-1 Sporting
“We thought we won it, I don’t know what happened at the end.
“I thought it went backwards and hit the defender, a different phase of play?
“I’ll have to go back and look at the rule book. We didn’t play that well.
“They deserved to be ahead, but we’re top and it’s still in our hands.”
Harry Kane disallowed winner for Tottenham in 95th minute vs Sporting
FT Tottenham 1-1 Sporting
FT Tottenham 1-1 Sporting
What drama at the end, a huge talking point, which saw Conte celebrate wildly before earning a red card.
The Italian might have been frustrated by the length of time it took to review it, standing at nearly four minutes.
But many will argue Spurs did not deserve a win here, Conte’s side were outplayed for long spells.
Now, despite being top, they face a dramatic final day in the Champions League group stage.
Tottenham 1-1 Sporting
Stunning drama here, Conte is sent off.
Spurs are sick, they’ve celebrated a 95th minute winner and then waited four minutes for VAR to tell them they didn’t.
Tottenham 2-1 Sporting
A lengthy delay here, 98th minute of the game.
Tottenham 2-1 Sporting
Drama... VAR shows a replay and Kane is very close to being offside.
In fact he might be!
This is a massive decision.
Tottenham 2-1 Sporting
GOAL! Kane has won it for Tottenham, stunning!
VAR to check as Emerson knocked it down to Kane in the box.
Tottenham 1-1 Sporting
Tottenham now top by a point on seven points, Marseille and Sporting level on six points and Frankfurt on four.
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