Entry into CL round of 16 – Tottenham secures group victory at the last minute – Sport

• Pierre-Emile Höjbjerg’s 2-1 winner in the 95th minute secured Tottenham not only progress in the Champions League but also top spot in Group D.
• Thanks to the 2-1 win at Sporting Lisbon in the last group game, Frankfurt also made it into the round of 16.
• While Sporting can continue playing in the second round of the Europa League, Marseille’s European adventure is over.
• The overview of the game events in the other groups can be found here.

Marseille risked everything in the final stages: although the southern French were third in the group with a 1-1 win over Tottenham and could have continued the season in the Europa League next year, they vehemently sought the winning goal. They were actually very close to the dream of the Champions League knockout phase: Ivan Perisic first saved against Alexis Sanchez for his beaten goalie Hugo Lloris (83rd). And of all things, former Arsenal defender Sead Kolasinac should have made it 2-1 for Marseille in the 87th minute – it would have meant the end of the “Spurs” in the premier class.

Instead, Pierre-Emile Höjbjerg rewarded his colors with a perfectly completed counterattack for a very mediocre performance. The Dane, who had already hit the crossbar in the 81st minute, shot Tottenham into total happiness in the 95th minute and secured top spot in the group.

Tottenham long ineffective

Without the suspended coach Antonio Conte, who was represented on the touchline by assistant Cristian Stellini, the third in the Premier League had started the game passively at the Stade Vélodrome. Contrary to the announcement that they wanted to play to win, the Londoners withdrew and let the French take control of the ball.

Chancel Mbemba punished this with a header just before the break to make it 1-0. The reaction came after a free kick in the 54th minute: Clément Lenglet also headed Perisic’s high ball to make it 1-1.

Sow with Frankfurt in the round of 16

Also with a turnaround from 0:1 to 2:1, Frankfurt made it into the round of 16. Against Sporting, Djibril Sow’s side didn’t seem to go as planned in Lisbon. Despite a brave display from the Europa League winners, it was Portugal who took the lead in the 39th minute. Sow unhappily headed a cross ball to Arthur Gomes, who scored to make it 1-0.

But the Hessians were able to react: an awkward handball by Sporting captain Sebastian Coates in the penalty area earned them an equalizer after an hour from Daichi Kamada from the penalty spot. And things got even better for Sow and Co.: Randal Kolo Muani skillfully shook off his opponent just 10 minutes later and scored from a tight angle to make it 2-1.

If it had remained 1-1 in Marseille, Eintracht would have been group winners. Marseille’s bad luck turned into a fortune for Sporting. The Portuguese remains the Europa League consolation.