Tottenham Hotspur beat Inter Milan 1-0 at Wembley Stadium on Wednesday night to move level on points with their opponents in their Champions League group with a game to play.
Christian Eriksen came off the bench to score the only goal of the game 10 minutes from time, tucking away from close range following some good build-up play from Moussa Sissoko.
Spurs had the better of things prior to that late breakthrough, with Harry Winks coming closest to scoring when hitting the crossbar with a curled effort.
Relive how the 90 minutes of action unfolded with Sports Mole's live text coverage below.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the Champions League clash between Tottenham Hotspur and Inter Milan at Wembley Stadium. This could be a pivotal night in Group B, as only victory will do for Spurs if they are to progress through, while a point will be enough for 2010 winners Inter to join Barcelona in the last 16 of the competition.
Tottenham have only just recovered from their late loss at Inter on matchday one, taking four matches before getting off the mark with their first three-point haul. That victory over PSV Eindhoven here earlier this month ensured that this match would have something riding on it, though even with three more points tonight the Lilywhites - who travel to Camp Nou on the final matchday - have it all to do.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR TEAM NEWS!
STARTING XI: Lloris; Aurier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Davies; Winks, Sissoko; Lamela, Dele, Lucas; Kane
SUBS: Gazzaniga, Rose, Walker-Peters, Dier, Eriksen, Son, Llorente
Starting with a look at the home team, manager Mauricio Pochettino has made four changes from the 3-1 win over Chelsea here four days ago. Christian Eriksen and Son Heung-min, who were impressive throughout that one-sided affair, are among those to drop out, with Erik Lamela and Lucas Moura offering some fresh legs in the final third. Dele Alli retains his place, just off leading marksman Harry Kane.
Juan Foyth is ineligible this evening as he was not included as part of Tottenham's Champions League squad in the autumn, which Pochettino admits was a big oversight. The hosts have therefore had to rush Jan Vertonghen back to action, with this his first appearance of any sort in exactly two months. Toby Alderweireld retains his place alongside compatriot Vertonghen, while Ben Davies and Serge Aurier will continue to operate at full-back as Danny Rose and Kieran Trippier are absent.
The fourth change comes in the engine room, where Eric Dier is dropped in favour of Harry Winks, who comes into his own on European night. Winks was backed to return to the fold tonight for that very reason, and Pochettino was never likely to leave out Moussa Sissoko thanks to the Frenchman's vastly improved form over the past couple of months, so out goes Dier. The England international, along with Eriksen and Son, drops down to the bench.
INTER MILAN TEAM NEWS!
STARTING XI: Handanovic; D'Ambrosio, Skriniar, De Vrij, Asamoah; Brozovic, Vecino; Politano, Nainggolan, Perisic; Icardi
SUBS: Valero, Candreva, Keita, Martinez, Miranda, Padelli, Ranocchia
Inter are very much as expected for this huge showdown in the English capital, making four changes from their straightforward win over Frosinone to return to full strength. Close to full strength, in fact, as Croatia international Sime Vrsaljko misses out tonight due to a bicep injury sustained a couple of weeks ago, so Danilo D'Ambrosio will continue to fill in at right-back.
Visiting boss Luciano Spalletti makes four changes in all from that weekend win, bringing in Mauro Icardi, Marcelo Brozovic, Matias Vecino and Ivan Perisic. Brozovic and Vecino will sit deep in midfield, the latter proving a thorn in Tottenham's side with his late goal in the reverse fixture, while Perisic takes over from Keita Balde on the left of Inter's talented attacking midfield.
Roberto Gagliardini and Joao Mario are both ineligible for tonight's match, but even accounting for their absence this is a very strong Inter lineup. A point is all that is needed, though it is difficult to see Spalletti's men sitting back behind the ball when they have the likes of Perisic, Icardi, Matteo Politano and Radja Nainggolan on the field. At the back, meanwhile, Stefan de Vrij and Milan Skriniar are two of the finest central defenders on the continent.
Inter Milan return to full strength - bar the injury absence of Sime Vrsaljko - from the 3-0 win against Frosinone at the weekend, as Mauro Icardi, Marcelo Brozovic, Matias Vecino and Ivan Perisic all return to the fold. There are also four changes for Tottenham Hotspur, with Christian Eriksen and Son Heung-min both being dropping down to the bench.
Inter Milan return to full strength - bar the injury absence of Sime Vrsaljko - from the 3-0 win against Frosinone at the weekend, as Mauro Icardi, Marcelo Brozovic, Matias Vecino and Ivan Perisic all return to the fold. There are also four changes for Tottenham Hotspur, with Christian Eriksen and Son Heung-min both being dropping down to the bench.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS! Inter Milan's 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur in September was the latest in a series of fascinating clashes between these two clubs, having most famously played out a couple of entertaining games in the 2010-11 season. Spurs lost 4-3 at San Siro on a night best remembered for Gareth Bale's hat-trick, before earning a 3-1 win in the return fixture as both sides made it through to the knockout stages. Only one of them can make it through this time, as Barcelona are already home and dry.
There were also goals aplenty when they faced off in the 2012-13 Europa League last 16 - Spurs going through on away goals following a thrilling 4-4 aggregate draw over two legs. Only victory will do for Tottenham tonight, however, as they need to make up the three-point deficit on Inter ahead of the final matchday, which sees the Lilywhites travel to Barcelona and the Italian side play host to PSV Eindhoven.
A late Harry Kane double against PSV here earlier this month saved Tottenham's European campaign, but it may well prove to be too little, too late in the grand scheme of things. Beating Dutch champions PSV and then a rejuvenated Inter on home soil is one thing; going to Camp Nou on the final matchday and coming away with victory - which will likely be required - is another matter entirely. Not impossible, by any means, but very, very difficult.
The task Tottenham face may be daunting, but supporters would have accepted the position they are in following the 2-2 draw with PSV five weeks ago. Back then, the Lilywhites' European adventure looked to be over for good, but the come-from-behind win against the same opponents in the reverse fixture at least gives them some hope. As well as losing 2-1 to Inter and taking four points from PSV, Spurs also went down 4-2 to Barcelona here.
Tottenham were winless in five European matches before that much-needed win over PSV on November 6, and if not for Harry Kane's heroics this match would effectively have been written off as a dead rubber. Spurs had also lost their previous two Euro matches at Wembley before that, albeit against heavyweight clubs Juventus and Barcelona, but going further back their record here is positive - five wins from their last seven in the Champions League.
Tottenham beat Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid and APOEL here in the group stage last season, so overcoming Inter - as much as they have improved - would not be the biggest surprise. Wembley has been kind to them on European nights, but this may well be their last Champions League, or indeed Europa League, match here as their new home looks likely to be ready to move into early in 2019. How they would love their first big match there to be a last-16 tie.
Pochettino's men have won five matches in a row in all competitions, most recently beating Chelsea 3-1 to move into third place in the Premier League. Despite all the doom and gloom in the first couple of months of the season, on the back of a summer that saw them fail to bring in a single new player and their ongoing problems with their new stadium, Tottenham have made their second-best ever start to a Prem season in terms of points gained at this stage.
The victory over Chelsea here was arguably the best all-round performance of any Premier League side this season that doesn't go by the name of Manchester City. Spurs were on top throughout and deserved to win by more than two goals, with that victory lifting them above their London rivals and keeping them just about in title contention. Winning the Premier League is surely not on the agenda, though - instead, finishing in the top four again, while also competing for silverware in the cup competitions, will be the aim.
That meeting with Chelsea marked the start of a massive week for Spurs, who follow up this midweek showdown against Inter by taking on neighbours Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. A point will be considered a good return from that one, especially after cruising to victory against Chelsea earlier this week, but only three points will do against Inter tonight. This really is a do-or-die clash for the North London outfit.
Tottenham Hotspur brushed aside Chelsea 3-1 last weekend with one of their best-ever performances under Mauricio Pochettino, and now they have two more huge games to look forward to. Following this must-win showdown with Inter Milan, Spurs make the short trip to the Emirates Stadium to face North London rivals Arsenal on Sunday. Momentum is certainly on their side, having won five in a row in all competitions.
Two months on, Inter's turnaround against Tottenham in their opening Group B fixture looks even more important than it did at the time. Mauro Icardi and Matias Vecino popped up in the final five minutes to snatch all three points for the Nerazzurri, and they have not really looked back since. Another comeback win at PSV Eindhoven followed, before earning a point from their two matches against group leaders Barcelona.
Seven points from 12 leaves Inter in a strong position ahead of games against Tottenham and PSV in this defining fortnight. A point tonight and they are through with that home match against PSV to spare; defeat, on the other hand, and all of a sudden the pressure rises, even if they do have the consolation of Tottenham having to take something from their trip to Camp Nou. Either way, Spalletti will not want it to go down to the wire.
Losing matches is not something Inter tend to do, falling to defeat in just two of their last 13 matches in all competitions. Ten of those games have ended in victory, most recently brushing aside Frosinone to get their 4-1 humbling at the hands of Atalanta BC before the international break out of their system. Inter are just a point behind second-placed Napoli in the Serie A standings, and finishing as runners-up to runaway leaders Juventus will be their aim.
Like Tottenham, Spalletti's men also face a key run of fixtures as they travel to Roma and champions Juventus in back-to-back matches over the next fortnight, before that potentially vital home clash with PSV. The Champions League is at the forefront of Spalletti's thoughts for now, as he attempts to guide the Nerazzurri - very much a fading force since winning the competition in 2010 - into the knockout stages.
Inter's 2-1 win at PSV Eindhoven, a match that they trailed 1-0 in, ended a run of five successive away defeats in European competition, and marked their first victory in nine-such matches. They are not exactly the best of travellers, then, and they have far less pedigree on the continent than their opponents when you take only the last six years into account. Still, it is the Italian side who are the strong favourites to join Barcelona in the last 16.
DID YOU KNOW? Luciano Spalletti may be one of the most highly-regarded coaches in not just Italian football but anywhere on the continent, but he has lost all seven of his previous matches on English soil. Fifteen goals have been conceded in that spell, including seven at the hands of Manchester United in 2007, and just two scored.
With kickoff at Wembley Stadium now a little over five minutes away, let us check out some pre-match thoughts from both camps.
Mauricio Pochettino: "When people say something is going to be difficult, for me it's like I am so excited to try to show that it's completely different and that it's possible. For me it's a massive motivation and for us it's a massive motivation. Of course we need to win the two games, but we are going to try. We are sure that we are going to try to give our best to achieve that."
Luciano Spalletti: "From when the draw was made, we knew that we'd have to knock out one of the biggest European teams to make the next round. Tottenham are a strong team with a great manager but we have the quality to take anyone on. Inter had been waiting for years to play in matches like this. The important thing is to show the fans that we're ready to give anything to win. We need to work till the final drop of sweat to go through."
Pochettino is very much relishing the fact that Tottenham have been written off by pretty much everyone, admitting that it acts as "massive motivation" for his players. The Spurs boss acknowledges that his side need to beat both Inter and Barcelona, having already got the job done against PSV Eindhoven as part of this great escape, and he intends to take it one game at a time. A reminder - anything less than victory tonight and Tottenham are out.
Inter boss Spalletti is relishing this trip to England, despite his aforementioned dreadful record on these shores, as he targets a place in the last 16. That would be quite some achievement for Inter, who may boast previous pedigree in this competition - namely winning it under Jose Mourinho in 2010 - but have been absent from the top tier of European football since 2011-12. All that the veteran Italian coach asks of his players is that they gave every last drop of sweat to the course.
KICKOFF: A great atmosphere at Wembley Stadium tonight, it must be said, thanks in large to Inter Milan supporters packing out the away end. All to play for in Group B should Spurs pick up victory here, though that is no easy task.
Some nice play from Tottenham, culminating in Moussa Sissoko sliding the ball into Dele Alli just inside the Inter box, but the away side stood their ground. It will be interesting to see if Inter get bodies forward when the opportunity arises.
Patience is clearly the order of the day for Tottenham, who are looking to pass the ball out from the back and into the final third. Good pressing from the home side high up the pitch when they are not in possession.
Tottenham win a corner kick, from which Harry Winks sens the ball back into the middle towards Moussa Sissoko. The Frenchman headed it into the air, making it easy for Samir Handanovic to pluck out of the air.
Inter have seen more of the ball in Tottenham's half over the past couple of minutes, but it is Tottenham who are looking the brighter. Harry Kane attempts to cross the ball into the middle when losing his footing, though it was blocked at the front post by Handanovic.
A big appeal for a Tottenham free kick right on the edge of the box is waved away by the referee. Matteo Politano tracked back and barged right into the direct Lucas Moura - more often than not you see those given.
Having seen a replay of that Matteo Politano challenge on Lucas Moura, it appears as though the official did make the correct call. Tottenham are well on top in the early stages here, without managing to create anything.
SHOT! Spurs are playing some nice football this evening. This latest attack, which saw Harry Kane carry the ball forward and tee up Dele Alli, ended with the latter blazing a shot over the crossbar from 20 yards - not the worst attempt you'll see.
Pochettino will be pleased enough with his side's performance in the opening 17 minutes of the match. Inter have been happy to sit back, but you do sense that the home team will create a few chances if the game continues in this manner.
Marcelo Brozovic is fortunate to escape a caution for barging Harry Kane off the field. The Croatian midfielder is one yellow card away from being suspended for the final group match.
Another bright moment for Spurs, as Erik Lamela brings the ball forward and gets a shot away 20 yards out. The ball flew wide of the target, seemingly via a deflection, though replays show that he simply put too much swerve on it.
A real waste from Tottenham's perspective, as Erik Lamela's chipped free kick from 40 yards out goes right the way through the box and out for a goal kick. The Lilywhites have played some nice football at times, but they need to start testing Samir Handanovic more often.
Tottenham are playing a high line, which leaves them a little exposed when Inter play a quick ball over the top. That is a risk Pochettino is willing to take - the onus is on his side to make a breakthrough.
An awkward one for Hugo Lloris to deal with as Harry Winks hits the ball back to his goalkeeper. The Frenchman opted against booting the ball up the field, instead succeeding only in picking out an Inter player, but the visitors could not capitalise.
Samir Handanovic has not had a save of note to make inside the opening half an hour. Tottenham are not showing the same intensity as they did against Chelsea here four days ago, though we do still have another hour to play.
YELLOW CARD! Toby Alderweireld is cautioned for tripping Mauro Icardi, who would have burst through on goal had he not been brought down around 30 yards from goal.
Matteo Politano elected to shoot from the free kick that Mauro Icardi won, blasting the ball right into the wall. Tottenham, who require a goal, have been unable to get a foothold on the match for a good 10 minutes now.
SAVE! Moussa Sissoko wins the ball back for his side deep inside his own half and powered forward. The ball was squared for Dele Alli, who allowed it to run through to Lucas Moura behind him. The shot was a little weak, and Samir Handanovic was equal to it down low.
Momentum is definitely back with Tottenham now. Moussa Sissoko gets a powerful shot away that is blocked on the edge of the box, following a positive run from Dele Alli. Inter are being pushed back and will be happy to see this spell through without conceding.
The home side have been in control of the match for large parts and have had a couple of near misses. Pochettino will know, however, that more is required in the remaining 50 minutes or so if his side are to bag the goal they require.
OFF THE BAR! Tottenham come within inches of making a breakthrough, as Harry Winks curls a sublime effort against the crossbar. Samir Handanovic could not get to it at full stretch, but thankfully for the visiting keeper the frame of the goal was there to save him.
Inter appeared to be readying a sub, with Radja Nainggolan seemingly unable to continue. That looks as though it will wait until half time, though, so it is clearly nothing major. Just three minutes of the half left to play.
INTER MILAN SUB! The visitors, who have had just one touch of the ball in the opposition box in this first half, decide to make that change now rather than waiting until half time. The injured Radja Nainggolan is off; Borja Valero on.
YELLOW CARD! Erik Lamela is shown a yellow card - Tottenham's second caution of the match - but should it have been more? The Argentinian attacker lunged in on Marcelo Brozovic with two feet, and may well have been given a red card on a different day.
HALF TIME: TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 0-0 INTER MILAN
Borja Valero, only on the field for a couple of minutes, squanders a good opening for Inter - pretty much their only chance of the first half. The substitute could not squeeze his shot through on target, and with that the referee brings a goalless opening 45 minutes to a close.
Heading into the match on the back of a five-game winning run in all competitions, Tottenham had some wind in their sails as they went in search of an early breakthrough. A Dele Alli shot over the bar aside, however, they struggled to really create any clear-cut opportunities in the opening half an hour.
One of four changes to the side that started the 3-1 win over Chelsea here on Saturday, Lucas Moura sent a weak shot down the middle for Samir Handanovic to keep out following some good play from Moussa Sissoko in the build-up. The closest Spurs came to a first-half opener was 38 minutes in when Harry Winks, another of those to return to the fold tonight, curled the ball against the crossbar from just outside the box.
Spurs also had a penalty appeal rejected when Lucas Moura was tackled right on the edge of the area by Matteo Politano, but they were perhaps fortunate to remain with 11 men on the field as Erik Lamela got away with a nasty two-footed stamp on Marcelo Brozovic late in the first half.
Inter created next to nothing in the opening 45 minutes, but you sense that they will get plenty of opportunities to hit their opponents on the counter in the second half. Spalletti has already turned to his bench; will Pochettino now do likewise?
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR SUBS: Gazzaniga, Rose, Walker-Peters, Dier, Eriksen, Son, Llorente
INTER MILAN SUBS: Candreva, Keita, Martinez, Miranda, Padelli, Ranocchia
KICKOFF: Tottenham Hotspur get us back underway at Wembley Stadium, where neither manager has made any further changes. The Lilywhites have 45 minutes to find the goal that keeps their Champions League campaign alive.
The home side, who have Christian Eriksen and Son Heung-min among their subs, have not really got going in the early stages of the second half. Inter are happy to slow the tempo of the game at every given opportunity.
SHOT! Some good play from Inter, which we have not seen a lot of tonight, as Borja Valero tees up Matias Vecino for a shot. The midfielder cut across the ball and sent it wide of Hugo Lloris's goal. A warning for Spurs that their opponents are not going to just sit back.
SAVE! This game is crying out for some Harry Kane magic, but we have not yet seen it. The Englishman curls the ball goalwards from 25 yards out, but it was pretty much aimed right at Samir Handanovic between the Inter posts.
Lucas Moura does brilliantly down the Tottenham right, taking the ball past his man before attempting to square it to a teammate. Asamoah was well positioned at the front post to block it behind at the expense of a corner kick.
Harry Winks with a little kick out at his opponent, which the referee must have spotted as he has just spoken to the midfielder. A silly one from the Englishman, who cannot afford to let frustration get the better of him.
The referee appears to have got this one wrong. Matias Vecino steps on Dele Alli's boot and loses his footing on the edge of the Spurs box, but the referee instead awarded the free kick Inter's way. This could be a controversial one...
Matteo Politano took on the free kick, which was heading for the target if not for the outstretched left boot of Ben Davies. Tottenham counter, but the best they manage is a throw deep in the opposition half. Pochettino must be tempted to turn to his bench.
Harry Kane peels away at the back post, but Stefan de Vrij shielded the ball out to prevent the striker from converting. Tottenham are in desperate need of some inspiration, with less than half an hour now left to play. Inter are looking dangerous on the counter.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR SUB! Pochettino turns to his bench for the first time tonight, bringing on Son Heung-min - one of the heroes of the win against Chelsea - for Lucas Moura. Skriniar nearly turns the ball in at the back post for Inter.
Son Heung-min makes an instant impact with a jinking run down the left, before sending a cross into the box that is cleared behind for a corner. From the resulting set piece, Milan Skriniar got his head to Erik Lamela's delivery.
Spurs simply have not created enough this evening to warrant a lead. As we saw against PSV, though, all it takes is a couple of minutes to score a couple of goals - just one will do! A little over 20 minutes to go here.
SHOT! Another nearly moment for Tottenham. Son Heung-min is again involved, causing some panic in the Inter box that leads to Ben Davies nodding the ball down for Dele Alli to volley wide of the target. Spurs need to sustain this pressure.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR SUB! Christian Eriksen is brought on for Erik Lamela to provide some more creativity in attacking midfield. Stefan de Vrij is cautioned for catching his opponent and then booting the ball away.
CHANCE! A brilliant delivery from Christian Eriksen is crying out for Jan Vertonghen to guide home. Milan Skriniar may have got a touch to it to put off the Belgian, but even still the net looked destined to rustle. Instead, it flew wide off Vertonghen's head.
YELLOW CARD! Son Heung-min, whose arrival has made a positive difference from Tottenham's point of view, is cautioned for pulling back of Marcelo Brozovic's shirt. This second half has flown by - all of a sudden there are less than 15 minutes to play.
SAVE! Great save from Hugo Lloris at his near post to keep out a strong Borja Valero drive. Inter look just as likely to score as Tottenham at the moment, with the Lilywhites having to focus more on attacking than defending.
Tottenham supporters are urging their players on as we enter the final 10 minutes at Wembley Stadium. It is looking as though it is going to be an incredibly frustrating night for the hosts, although Group B has seen plenty of late drama already.
GOAL! TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1-0 INTER MILAN (CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN)
Huge relief for Tottenham Hotspur, as Christian Eriksen makes the breakthrough here with less than 10 minutes to play. Moussa Sissoko was at the heart of it, driving into the opposition box and laying it off for Dele Alli, who in turn teed up Christian Eriksen to lift over Samir Handanovic from eight yards.
Tottenham will not go down without a fight, it seems. They are on course for back-to-back wins in the Champions League, meaning that second place will be up for grabs going into the final matchday if they see through the next five minutes.
SAVE! Inter, who have brought on Miranda and Balde Keita for Stefan de Vrij and Matteo Politano, are seeking a leveller. Danilo D'Ambrosio's shot was on target and needed stopping by Hugo Lloris. What a tense finale we are in store for in London!
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR SUB! Harry Winks, who tends to shine on these big European nights, is replaced by Eric Dier for the closing stages. The home side are clearly happy to defend what they have. What a huge victory this would be.
Tottenham are forming a good shape at the back and are looking good value to see this one through. The Lilywhites now have just three minutes of added time to come. Is there time for another late twist in Group B?
Asamoah drives the ball into a sea of bodies after Spurs failed to properly deal with a corner. Samir Handanovic went up for the corner and stayed up, but Tottenham eventually managed to clear their lines. Sixty seconds to go!
FULL TIME: TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1-0 INTER MILAN
Tottenham Hotspur see through the remaining minutes of added time to claim a sixth victory in a row in all competitions. More importantly in the context of Group B, Christian Eriksen's close-range finish 10 minutes from time gives them back-to-back wins in the Champions League, taking them level on points with their opponents. It is therefore all to play for on the final matchday next month!
That concludes Sports Mole's live text coverage of events from Wembley Stadium. An on-the-whistle report can be found by clicking here, and be sure to join us tomorrow night for updates from the Europa League games involving Arsenal and Chelsea. See you then!
