Tottenham were stunned by Sporting Lisbon as two late goals condemned them to a 2-0 defeat in their Champions League Group D clash at Estadio Jose Alvalade.
The game appeared to be heading for a stalemate before Sporting substitute Paulinho headed a Pedro Goncalves corner past Hugo Lloris in the final minute of normal time.
The hosts then wrapped up the points in stoppage time when Arthur Gomes, another substitute, cut in from the left and breezed past Cristian Romero and Emerson Royal before slotting a low finish into the corner.
Spurs, back in action after the weekend’s Premier League postponements following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, were a long way below their best on the night, struggling to create clear chances and unable to contain Sporting’s counter-attacking threat.
It seemed they would at least take a point back to north London, but in the end their lacklustre performance was punished as Sporting celebrated a win which keeps them top of Group D – and leaves Antonio Conte’s side with catching up to do on their Champions League return.
How Sporting shocked Spurs
After a period of silence in tribute to The Queen before kick-off, Sporting were soon showing their counter-attacking potency, pouncing on Spurs errors repeatedly, with Pedro Goncalves forcing a low save from a full-stretch Lloris in the early stages.
That opportunity was created by Marcus Edwards and the former Tottenham youngster continued to cause problems for his old side, most notably when he embarked on a mesmerising dribble shortly before the break, dancing through a crowd of Spurs players and exchanging passes with Trincao before releasing a toe-poked shot which squirmed past the post off Lloris.
Spurs, by contrast, were sloppy and sluggish in possession, their first-half performance summed up by the sight of Richarlison, their two-goal hero against Marseille last week, being repeatedly caught offside.
The visitors did rally after the break, creating a flurry of chances, with Royal heading wide then firing a low shot straight at Sporting goalkeeper Antonio Adan in the space of a couple of minutes.
Harry Kane then drew another save from Adan, while Richarlison fired wide on one occasion, then sent a header past the post on another, but Sporting soon regained their composure.
Having nullified Spurs’ attacking threat, the breakthrough arrived from a set-piece as, moments after Lloris had pulled off a brilliant save from Pedro Porro, Paulinho rose highest to head home the subsequent corner at the near post.
Things then went from bad to worse for Spurs when Gomes’ superb second goal sparked more wild celebrations at Estadio Jose Alvalade, leaving Conte with much to ponder ahead of Tottenham’s Premier League meeting with Leicester, live on Sky Sports on Saturday.
Conte: We can do much better
Tottenham head coach Antonio Conte to BT Sport:
“Difficult result. For sure when you lose the game you are not happy. Today the game was in balance in the second half.
“We could score and we tried to win the game. In the last 10 minutes, we can do much better.
“They score with a corner and then we concede the second goal. A difficult game for sure. We tried to get the win but then at the end we lost the game.
“When you arrive you have to try to fill the box. You have to be accurate and be stronger to attack the goal. We can do much better.
“Now we have to try to rest and to think the next game in the Premier League.”
Edwards: Great feeling to beat Spurs
Sporting Lisbon’s MarcusEdwards to BT Sport:
“It feels great. I think we deserved it. We showed how we can play. I wouldn’t say extra special, but it was a special feeling to play against Spurs. It was good to see people I know – players and coaching staff.
“I stayed the same. Focus was the same. It’s a proper family environment here and I couldn’t be happier.
“It’s home, so of course I want to come back there [to the Premier League] one day. I just focus on what I’m doing here for now.”
Spurs taste defeat again – Opta stats
Tottenham suffered their first defeat of the season against Sporting, while it’s now four defeats in their last five Champions League games.Sporting have won their opening two games of a Champions League campaign for the first time in their history, while they’ve now won five of their last six group stage games in the competition.Tottenham have now lost each of their last three Champions League away games, as many defeats as in their previous 15 such games in the competition (W6 D6).There were just 54 seconds between Sporting substitute Arthur Gomes coming on and him scoring the second goal in the 93rd minute.
Tottenham’s remaining Champions League fixtures
October 4: Eintracht Frankfurt (A) – kick-off 8pm
October 12: Eintracht Frankfurt (H) – kick-off 8pm
October 26: Sporting Lisbon (H) – kick-off 8pm
November 1: Marseille (A) – kick-off 8pm
What’s next for Spurs?
Tottenham resume their Premier League campaign at home to Leicester, live on Sky Sports on Saturday, with coverage starting at 4.30pm on Sky Sports Premier League; kick-off 5.30pm.