Rice opts for Lions.. not Irish
England stars are on course to return for the second leg.
And of course it has been Son who has stepped into the void since returning from the Asian Cup to score in his fourth game running to keep their season very much alive.
From what looked like a crisis a few weeks ago as they crashed out of both domestic cups, Mauricio Pochettino (left) has turned it around. He even did that again last night.
Christian Eriksen and Lucas were involved in the build-up before Vertonghen’s superb leftwing cross picked out Son. He peeled off Dan-Axel Zagadou in the middle, to make space and side-foot the ball past Dortmund keeper Roman Burki.
Tottenham’s second came after 83 minutes, as Serge Aurier’s cross found Vertonghen who was rushing in at the back post to fire home.
Four minutes later, Eriksen’s corner was flicked home by Llorente who has come on as a substitute 34 times but this was the first time he has scored. Everything must be going Spurs’ way. FROM BACK PAGE established himself in the Irons’ first team this season and has now switched allegiances as he believes it is “best for my future”.
Rice, 20, who came through the Irish youth ranks, said: “This has been an extremely difficult decision and not one I ever expected to be making at this stage of my career.
“Like so many people around the world, I consider myself to be of mixed nationality. I am a proud Englishman, having been born and raised in London. And I am just as proud of my family’s Irish heritage and my affinity with the country.
“It is a personal decision that I have made with my heart and my head, based on what I believe is best for my future.”
Rice, who can also play in defence, phoned Three Lions chief Southgate and Ireland boss Mick McCarthy yesterday to tell them that he will submit a request to FIFA to switch allegiance.
McCarthy said: “Declan rang me and said he has decided to give it a go with England. Good luck to him.”
Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish opted for England in 2015 after playing for Ireland at youth level, but is yet to earn a senior cap.