Tottenham made waves on the opening day of the Champions League knockout stage, coming back from 2-0 down to force a draw in the first leg of its last-16 series against Juventus in Turin.
Even in a season when it has matured in European competition, this was a remarkable performance – and all the more so given that Spurs had gone two goals down within the opening nine minutes.
Gonzalo Higuain volleyed Juventus ahead after two minutes and added a second from the penalty spot seven minutes later, but, as Juve sat back, Tottenham recovered its composure and proceeded to dominate the game.
Harry Kane pulled one back and then, vitally, Higuain struck the bar with another penalty on the stroke of halftime.
Christian Eriksen levelled the score with a low free-kick that caught Gianluigi Buffon flat-footed with 19 minutes remaining to force the draw.
Manchester City, meanwhile, as good as secured its place in the quarterfinals with a 4-0 victory at FC Basel.
Ilkay Gundogan headed in a corner, Bernardo Silva converted Raheem Sterling’s cross and Sergio Aguero fizzed in a low shot–all within the first 23 minutes of the game. Gundogan curled his second of the night after an Aguero run eight minutes after halftime to put the match–and series–to bed early.
