Tottenham Hotspur came from behind to claim a very impressive victory over Borussia Dortmund in their Champions League Group H clash at Signal Iduna Park.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang gave Dortmund the lead in the 31st minute with a coolly-taken finish, and the hosts protected their lead in a tepid first half. But Kane hit back four minutes after half-time with a clinical strike to level the scores and record his 39th goal in 2017 alone.
Dortmund came into the game winless in their last six Champions League ties and in poor domestic form. However, the home side enjoyed the most positive start, with Andriy Yarmolenko constantly threatening on the left flank.
It was the Ukrainian who created the opening goal, delivering an inch-perfect back-heeled pass into Aubameyang’s path. The Gabonese forward—who was suspended for Dortmund’s last game after a disciplinary issue—converted his first goal in over a month by shooting low to Hugo Lloris’ left.
Dortmund's Gabonese forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang celebrates scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Champions League Group H football match BVB Borussia Dortmund v Tottenham Hotspur at the BVB Stadion on November 21, 2017 in Dortmund, western German
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Spurs responded with plenty of patient build-up play and had two rapid-fire chances to equalise before with break, via a Christian Eriksen shot and Eric Died header. Roman Burki, however, produced a pair of superb saves.
The visitors began their comeback shortly after the break, when Danny Rose intercepted a sloppy Jeremy Toljan pass to begin a sequence of slick passes that ended with Kane placing the ball low in the net from 15 yards. It was Kane’s sixth goal of the competition.
The winning goal also came from Tottenham’s left flank when Dele beat two defenders and cut the ball back to Heung-Min Son - the South Korean placed the ball in the top-right corner with precision.
Dortmund sat much deeper in the second half and rarely threatened to turn the result back in their favour. Accordingly, they will now miss out on the knockout stages, while Tottenham are guaranteed top spot in Group H, by virtue of their head-to-head record with Real Madrid.
TALKING POINT
How far can Tottenham go in the Champions League? After the disappointment of last season’s European campaign, Tottenham earned a guaranteed spot in the knockout round with two games to spare. How deep can they go in this competition? Will they be the most successful English team?
Players of Tottenham Hotspur thank each other after the UEFA Champions League group H match between Borussia Dortmund and Tottenham Hotspur at Signal Iduna Park on November 21, 2017 in Dortmund, Germany.
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MAN OF THE MATCH
Heung-Min Son(Spurs) Son was a constant threat, even when sitting deeper as a second striker in the second half. His finish for the winner was superb, and it marked his eighth goal against Dortmund in 10 games.
Heung-Min Son of Tottenham Hotspur and Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates after Heung-Min Son of Tottenham Hotspur scored their sides second goal during the UEFA Champions League group H match between Borussia Dortmund and Tottenham Hotspur at Sig
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PLAYER RATINGS
Borussia Dortmund - Bürki 7, Schmelzer 6, Bartra 6, Toljan 5, Weigl 7, Götze 6, Kagawa 6, Guerreiro 7, Yarmolenko 7, Aubameyang 6, Zagadou 6. Subs: Weidenfeller 6, Toprak 6, Castro 6.
Tottenham - Lloris 6, Aurier 7, Sanchez 6, Vertonghen 7, Rose 8, Dier 7, Winks 7, Eriksen 6, Dele 7, Son 8, Kane 7. Subs: Dembele 6, Sissoko 6, Llorente 5.
KEY MOMENTS
19 - CHANCE! Yarmolenko plays a superb ball through the middle to Aubameyang and Aurier plays him onside. He's one-on-one with the 'keeper but side foots it wide. A huge chance to open the scoring!
31 - GOAL! Yarmalenko lays a stunning backheeled pass into the path of Aubameyang 25 yards out. The Gabon striker is played onside by Sanchez and beats Lloris low to his right.
41 - CHANCE: Eriksen delivers the subsequent corner and Burki must reach to keep Dier's header out of his net! A superb save!
48 - GOAL! Danny Rose wins the ball on the right and finds Dele. The midfielder picks out Harry Kane, who strikes low to the left past Burki.
76 - GOAL! Dele beats two men on the left side of the area and cuts it back to Son. He controls it and places the ball in the top-right corner!
KEY STATS
This is the first time Dortmund have conceded more than a single goal to English opposition at home.
Aubameyang has scored 16 goals in 13 appearances this season.
Harry Kane has scored 39 goals in 38 games in the calendar year of 2017.
Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates scoring his sides first goal during the UEFA Champions League group H match between Borussia Dortmund and Tottenham Hotspur at Signal Iduna Park
Image credit: Getty Images
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