Tottenham defeated Marseille in stoppage time to win Group D and advance to the Champions League’s round of 16 as the group’s victor.
On a night when they were about to be eliminated from the competition half hour before, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s goal in the 95th minute ensured Tottenham’s advancement to the round of 16.
The spurs needed a draw to go to the knockout round. But Marseille took the lead just before halftime thanks to defender Chancel Mbemba.
That meant Spurs dropped to third in the group – heading into the Europa League – before Clement Lenglet equalized early in the second half.
After Kane of Tottenham had a goal disallowed for being blatantly offside, Hojbjerg hit the crossbar with a shot.
With fewer than 10 minutes left, Marseille had a golden opportunity to make it 2-1. Still, Perisic critically stopped Sanchez’s effort from close range. Former Arsenal defender Sead Kolasinac headed wide when unmarked.
As Marseille battled for the victory they needed to advance, they were caught on the break. Hojbjerg secured the win for Tottenham, who were desperately clinging to the lead.
What a way to win the group!
Tottenham secure their spot in the round of 16 with the final kick of the game ?#UCL pic.twitter.com/O22f0KfliC
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) November 1, 2022
All Or Nothing night for Group D
Spurs traveled to France as group leaders, with Sporting Lisbon second, level on points with Frankfurt, who they led head-to-head.
Tottenham’s opponents, Marseille, were at the bottom of the group and were aware that a victory would guarantee their advancement.
All four clubs entered the first half of both games with a chance to advance.
Sporting led Frankfurt 1-0 in just 39 minutes, moving them to the top of the group ahead of Tottenham, who would still advance.
But just before halftime, Marseille took a 1-0 lead. With a dramatic leap to second place and Spurs moving up to third and toward the Europa League, that goal rearranged the group.
In the second half, Tottenham responded quickly, and after Clement Lenglet tied the score, they surged back up to second, bumping Marseille to third.
Tottenham regained first place in the group when Frankfurt moved in the 62nd minute to tie Sporting.
Ten minutes later, the German team scored again, overtaking Tottenham to take the lead in the group and demoting Sporting to fourth. That game finished 2-1, and they had to wait to find out the outcome in France.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg of Tottenham scored in the 95th minute as Marseille pushed for the victory as Spurs clung to a 1-1 tie.
Tottenham advanced as group champions due to the goal, whereas Marseille finished the season without a chance to play in Europe and fell to the bottom of the standings.
Tottenham progress to the knockout stages in the wildest fashion ?
Half-time:
1. Sporting
2. Marseille
3. Spurs
4. FrankfurtFull-time:
1. Spurs
2. Frankfurt
3. Sporting
4. Marseille90 minutes of pure emotions.#OptusSport pic.twitter.com/YrJtE8DmWk
— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) November 2, 2022
Lloris praises personality as Spurs claims top spot in Group D
Hugo Lloris, the man of the match and captain for Tottenham, hailed his team’s character for coming from behind to win the game.
“Sincerely, we anticipated that kind of game.” He told BT Sports. “We handled it well, although it was complicated.”
“In the second half, we played well, and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg was crucial in confirming that we were in first place in the group after Clement Lenglet scored an essential goal in France in front of the French people.”
“It was a tough night, a fantastic battle, and an even more psychological battle because we could feel in the first half that a team was playing without the fear of losing.”
“And that team was Marseille, and in the second half, we had a team that was dreading losing, and that team was us.”
“Without our coach, it was much tougher for him in the stand, and it’s a wonderful winning team – that’s the most important thing.”
“I also think we showed great personality when we had to confront challenges, and it’s a great outcome.”
