Playing at home on Jose Mourinho’s debut as Spurs manager in the UEFA Champions League, the hosts had to do it the hard way. A win would be enough for the Spurs to make it to the knockout stages in the European competition, but all seemed lost as the Greek side opened a 2-0 lead in the first half through Youssef El Arabi and Ruben Semedo. However brave Spurs went on to turn it around from 2-0 down to 4-2, thanks to Dele Alli, Serge Aurier and a double from Harry Kane.
With the positive result at home, the Spurs reached 10 points and qualified for the knockout of the Champions League in second place of the group. Leader Bayern Munich, with 15, cannot be surpassed, which will make the last match in Munich against Mourinho’s side pretty much a friendly match. Red Star and Olympiacos face each other for the third position, which qualifies for the UEFA Europa League.
The game started off with the visitors feeling they were at their backyard. So much so that at 6 mins, the Greeks opened the scoring with experienced midfielder El Arabi, easily dribbling past Harry Winks and striking a fine left-footed shot into the low corner of Paulo Gazzaniga.
At 19 ‘ the game gets dramatic for Spurs as, after a corner kick, Guilherme flicks the ball to Semedo, who just tapped in. 0-2 Olympiacos.
Disagreeing with Tottenham’s attitude on the pitch, Mourinho made his first change with 29 mins, as Eric Dier was subbed off for Christian Eriksen. It hadn’t an instant impact, but it worked well on 45+1, as Aurier’s low cross found Dele, who finished home. 1-2.
The intention was to maintain the reaction in the second half and to turn the game around. The equalizer came at 50 ‘and was crucial. It all once again started through Aurier, who gave it to Lucas Moura down the right, as the Brazilian drove forward and crossed it to Kane, who found the back of the net. 2-2.
Spurs completed the comeback on 73 mins, as Dele and Kane combined for a give-and-go as the midfielder crossed it to Son, who flicked it back to Aurier, who struck in a lovely curly ball into the nets. 3-2.
Four mins later, Spurs wrapped it up. Eriksen’s perfect cross found Kane, who nodded home past Jose Sa. 4-2 Spurs.
After the win, Tottenham will be back on Saturday when they face Bournemouth in the English Premier League.