SECONDS OUT
Tottenham cruising into last eight..169 secs later and Juventus double ends dream
MAURICIO POCHETTINO saw Tottenham’s Champions League dream blown away in just two minutes and 49 seconds.
European heavyweights Juventus staged a brilliant second-half comeback as Gonzalo Higuain and Paulo Dybala struck in the 64th and 67th minutes.
Spurs went desperately close to taking the tie to extra time, but Harry Kane’s last-minute header hit a post as they crashed out.
Tottenham looked all set to reach the
quarter-finals when Son Heung-min fired them ahead after 39 minutes, leaving the Italians needing to score twice. But Juve showed all of their European pedigree to hold their nerve, stunning a Wembley crowd of 84,010 fans – with boss Pochettino looking on in disbelief from the touchline. Tottenham threw everything at Juventus in the closing stages of the game, but they put on a masterclass of an away performance to hold firm. Pochettino (above) said: “In less than three minutes we conceded two goals – two big mistakes – and that is why we are out.
“In both legs we deserved more. I feel proud. We played fantastic football until that first goal and we dominated.
“Of course we are very disappointed, but it is part of growing and we will keep going. I am still a dreamer and I’m proud of my players.”
Spurs now only have a place in the top four and the FA Cup to play for and, for all of their progress and hope, this will be a major setback for Pochettino.