Spurs 2-4 Barcelona: Champions League match report

Spurs 2-4 Barcelona: match report

Start as you mean to go on and all that. That's what Barcelona and Spurs did at Wembley in the Champions League on Wednesday night. They was a goal after two minutes and six by the time the ref had blown his whistle for full-time after a helter skelter affair in England's capital.

Hugo Lloris rushed off his line to prevent Jordi Alba scoring after 92 seconds before the left-back cut the chance back to Philippe Coutinho, who had time to pick his spot as he fired Barcelona into the lead early doors.

Barcelona started better than the hosts but Spurs' relentless pursuit of the ball saw them gain control after that first goal. Pochettino's side did look shaky at the back every time the visitors attacked although it would take a world class strike from Ivan Rakitic to beat them the second time.

The ball arrived into Coutinho at the back post and his effort was blocked and deflected out to Rakitic, who lined it up perfectly before smashing it in off the post as Lloris grasped at fresh air a good yard away from the ball. Barcelona might not have deserved their two goal lead based on the opening half an hour but they were two clinical strikes.

It looked like it might be plain sailing for Barcelona after the break as Spurs seemed shot after their efforts in the first half. It was a frustrating night for Son, Moura and Kane, who were foiled time and time again by a robust Barcelona back line. 

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Harry Kane was about to change that, however, as Barcelona came undone and couldn't properly recover for the remainder of the game. Kane got the ball to the left and dummied inside Semedo before sending the ball curling past Ter Stegen. It was 2-1 with 52 played and Spurs looked like they were only getting started.

It would take a flowing move to undo them again when Messi passed out wide to Alba, who sent a ball into the box with more hope that precision. Coutinho stepped out of the way, then Suarez did the same before Messi calmly slotted home his first of the game to increase the gap to two once again.

Spurs had figured out how to get to the visitors though and they had chances. Erik Lamela pulled one back with 66 minutes gone when he curled one over Ter Stegen with the help of a Lenglet deflection.

The game was in the balance and there was another goal in the game. You could feel it and everyone at the game seemed to sense it to. But who would get it? Who else!?

Lloris played a ball out of defence as it arrived to substitue Sissoko. He was picked off and Barcelona high pressure meant Spurs weren't ready to defend. That was evident by the oceans of space and oodles of time Messi had in the center to slot it beyong Lloris as he put the result beyond questions.

It wasn't easy but Spurs at Wembley was never going to be. Luis Suarez bemoaned Barcelona's reliance on the Argentine after their draw with Athletic Club at the weekend. But on the biggest stage and with the biggest personalities needed, he was a breath of fresh air for Barcelona as he finished with another man of the match performance in a game filled with exceptional performers.

Barcelona travel to Wembley for their Group B Champions League fixture against Spurs this Wednesday night, and will be wary of a home side aiming to make amends for their opening day loss to Inter two weeks ago.

The Blaugrana will also looking to put things right after a poor run of games in LaLiga, which sees them winless in their last three and included an embarrassing defeat to bottom-placed Léganes a week ago.

But Messi and Co will head to London confident in the fact that they have lost just one of their last 11 Champions League matches against English clubs. However none of those games featured World Cup Golden Boot winner Harry Kane, whom center-backs Pique and Lenglet will no doubt be keeping a close eye on. Lenglet will likely start for the injured Umtiti, with Sergi Roberto the only other absentee for coach Ernesto Valverde.

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Kane has finally found his goal-scoring feet after an unconvincing start to the season, scoring both goals in the 2-0 win over Huddersfield last weekend. Mauricio Pochettino will need him at his best if they are going to beat the LaLiga titleholders, considering he is without Eriksen (abdominal), Dembele (thigh) Vertonghen (hamstring) and Dele Alli (hamstring).