UEFA Champions League
Result: FC Barcelona 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur
Date: 11 December 2018
Venue: Camp Nou
Tottenham Hotspur joined FC Barcelona in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League following a 1-1 draw in their final group game at the Camp Nou.
Fielding a second string team with a number of their regulars rested, Barca's main objective as stated post-match remained winning.
Taking the lead after seven minutes through Ousmane Dembele getting on the end of a counter-attack to slot past Hugo Lloris showed their statement of intent.
The home side known for their possession based style, continued to dominate this department of the field but Spurs looked dangerous on the break and we able to carve out decent chances.
Spurs best opening came on the half and hour mark when a teasing cross from Danny Rose found Sonny on the side, but he was unable to get his head to the delivery.
The Londoners received another chance and it was Son Heung-min again who opened his body for a shot, but it was too close to Jasper Cillessen who saved easily.
Brazilian international Phillipe Coutinho weaved his way to the area of the pitch but could only crack the post as Barca searched for a second into halftime.
Changes happened at the start of the second half for Barca, with Ivan Rakitic coming off for Sergio Busquets for his 100th appearance in the Champions League.
Spurs needing victory, came close again when Harry Kane found himself through on goal but his final delivery went off target.
Spurs first change soon took place, with Erik Lamela replacing Kyle-Walker Peters. The cheers and applause for the legendary Lionel Messi was surrendered as he came on for Munir El-Haddad moments later.
With low amount of chances propping up, Spurs introduced their second substitution in Lucas Moura for Heung-Min Son in the final quarter of the match.
In the matter of minutes, two chances fell to Moura with the first being a close-range header before he fired the rebound just wide of the post.
For the second time in the contest, Coutinho was denied by the post with a shot from close range.
With five minutes to go, Spurs grabbed the equaliser after Kane ran down the left to play in Moura to finish off the move.
Spurs came close to a second when a cross from Kane picked out Rose inside the box, but the latter was unable to get his shot on target as it went wide, as the game ended in a stalemate.
As a result, Barca finish top of the group while Spurs sneak the final qualifying spot ahead of Inter Milan, who drew 1-1 with PSV Eindhoven.
