After going down two inside nine minutes, Tottenham engineered an incredible comeback to earn an important 2-2 draw against Juventus.
Recapping the game – the Champions League returned to Italy with an entertaining, heart-pounding match between, Juventus and Tottenham. Straight out of the gate, Juventus got on the score sheet from Gonzalo Higuain.
Higuain, added a second goal from the spot just seven minutes later. This is where everybody thought Spurs were outdone, and the game was going in one direction.
Juventus 2-2 Tottenham Match Stats:
Juventus | Stat | Tottenham |
| 2 | Goals | 2 |
| 33% | Possession | 67% |
| 71% | Pass Accuracy | 88% |
| 328 | Total Passes | 644 |
| 9 | Total Shots | 12 |
| 5 | Shots on Target | 6 |
| 5 | Corners | 5 |
| 22 | Tackles | 12 |
| 5 | Offsides | 0 |
| 16 | Fouls | 13 |
| 3 | Yellow Cards | 2 |
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 |
Spurs got a goal back through Harry Kane to make it 2-1, in the 35th minute. Just before halftime, Higuain had a chance at a hat-trick with another spot-kick, only to sail high into the crossbar.
The comeback was complete with a cheeky free-kick from Christian Eriksen, to tie the game at two. The whistle went and Juventus’ winning streak ended at 11 games.
Next: Matchday 27 Sunday roundup
Juventus must keep attacking
Allegri’s side, immediately started the game attacking and pushing forward. Without Paulo Dybala, Juventus went with Douglas Costa and Mario Mandzukic, either side of Higuain. Le Zebre took their foot off the gas, while in the lead and allowed Spurs to get back into the game.
Gonzalo Higuain continues his streak of missing high-pressure chances. He missed a penalty and a sitter ten minutes within each other, and adds that to his long list of not being clutch.
Overall: Well done, Spurs. Could have capitulated after the horrible start. Stayed focused, created chances, outplayed Juventus away. 2-2 heading back to Wembley.
— Subscribe to GrantWahl.com (@GrantWahl) February 13, 2018
Juventus fans know, the penalty could cost them a spot in the quarterfinals.
Next: Matchday 27 Saturday roundup
Tottenham proves they are no fluke
Spurs broke the Wembley curse in the group stage, by winning all three matches at home. They also were able to beat Real Madrid once and beat Borussia Dortmund twice, in the group of death. This match shows Pochettino’s men are for real and can truly compete for a European title.
Harry Kane is an absolute poacher and deadly goalscorer. He keeps on scoring against good centre backs and world-class goalkeepers. England fans should feel slightly more confident, going into the World Cup with Kane’s current form.
It was coming. Brilliant from Alli, better from Kane. Spurs superb response to an awful start results in the first goal Juventus have conceded in 2018. No stopping Harry.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) February 13, 2018
Spurs catalyst though is Christian Eriksen. Juventus were able to stop Kane for majority of the match but couldn’t stop Eriksen’s, stroke of brilliance. Eriksen is one of those players that only scores great goals. He is easily the best player, owner Daniel Levy bought with the Gareth Bale money.
Next: Everton sweep up the points at Goodison Park
What does the result mean for the second leg (March 7th)
The resilience of the eleven Tottenham players resulted in two goals that can earn them a spot in the last eight. Juventus will need Buffon and their defense to stay strong at Wembley and not concede a goal. For Spurs, score goals.
9' ⚽️ Juventus 2-0 Spurs
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 13, 2018
FT' ⚽️ Juventus 2-2 Spurs
"It shows the character of the squad. It's a great result!"
Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen speaking to @DesKellyBTS 🎙 pic.twitter.com/I0HHZkM6wo
That’s what they are best at and Juventus has trouble creating chances and shifting the momentum, when an opponent is attacking, constantly.
Dybala could return for the second leg and make the difference, as he did last year against Barcelona. This game should make the encounter at Wembley, quite a spectacle event.