Two goals from Dele Alli and another from Christian Eriksen gave Spurs a deserved 3-1 victory over Champions League favourites Real Madrid.
After a cagey start, Spurs took the lead just before the half hour mark when Alli tapped home an inch-perfect cross from Kieran Trippier. Spurs added two more after the break, the third a move of sublime simplicity and beauty — Madrid were simply torn apart.
Cristiano Ronaldo pulled one back for the visitors late on, but that was too little too late.
Positives
Life doesn’t get much sweeter than outplaying Real Madrid in front of 85,000 fans at a packed Wembley. This was everything and more that Mauricio Pochettino could have dreamed of in his prematch planning. To round off a perfect evening, with Dortmund drawing against Apoel, Spurs qualified for the knockout stages with two games in hand.
Negatives
The injury to Toby Alderweireld was the only significant downside. The Belgian is a key member of the defence and Pochettino will be hoping the hamstring injury is not as serious as it looked. Spurs will also be annoyed at conceding a late goal that made the final 10 minutes just a little more tense than they needed to be.
Manager rating out of 10
8 — Out-thought Real manager Zinedine Zidane on all the big calls. Set the team up to catch Madrid on the counter and time and again his players delivered. Spurs had enough chances to have scored four or five. They were that good. However, Pochettino must be questioning his faith in Moussa Sissoko, who he brought on for Alderweireld. Sissoko was consistently found wanting, and in hindsight the manager should have used Mousa Dembele instead.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Hugo Lloris, 7 — One early spill suggested a hint of nerves, but thereafter Lloris was secure both in the air and on the ground. Marshalled his defence well and had no chance with Ronaldo’s goal.
DF Kieran Trippier, 9 — Spurs’ player of the match. His first-half performance was his best 45 minutes in a Spurs shirt. Defended well and was a constant threat going forward, with his crossing back to last season’s standard. Played deeper in the second half as Spurs looked to catch Madrid on the break.
DF Toby Alderweireld, 7 — Looked to be totally in control of the Madrid front line when he pulled up with a hamstring injury midway through the first half.
DF Davinson Sanchez, 8 — Had to move to the right side of the defence when Alderweireld went off but coped well. Was steady on the ball and gave Madrid few clear chances.
DF Jan Vertonghen, 8 — After his lapse in concentration against Manchester United at the weekend, Vertonghen was focused throughout. Hard to remember him putting a foot wrong and got the biggest cheer of the night when he kept in a misplaced pass to maintain a period of prolonged Spurs’ possessions. The oles rang round the ground.
DF Ben Davies, 7 — Was twice caught out of position in the first half by long balls played over his head, but on each occasion recovered well. Like Trippier, he played deeper in the second half and nullified most Madrid threats.
MF Eric Dier, 8 — Started the game as the defensive midfielder but was switched to the heart of the back three when Alderweireld went off. One or two minor scares apart, he looked dominant throughout.
MF Harry Winks, 7 — Didn’t let the occasion overwhelm him and was totally at home up against the Madrid Galacticos. Linked up nicely with Alli in the first half. Tired in the second period and was substituted.
MF Christian Eriksen, 8 — The longer the game went on the more dominant Eriksen became. This was a completely different performance from his subdued effort at the Bernabeu a fortnight earlier. Took his goal superbly well.
MF Dele Alli, 8 — Scored two, the second from a fortunate deflection after a maze-like run, and might have completed his hat trick with a close range header that he steered wide. And yet, he’s still not at his best with too many touches going astray. The thought of how good he could be when he’s at his best should bode well for the future.
FW Harry Kane, 8 — Spurs’ talisman. Lead the attack tirelessly and all his efforts lacked were a goal. Provided an inch perfect pass for Eriksen’s goal and time and again threatened to get away from his marker. Was taken off with 12 minutes to spare to make sure there was no recurrence of his injury.
Substitutes
MF Moussa Sissoko, 5 — Spurs’ one weak link, Sissoko lacked both the pace and the confidence to run at defenders when there is a one-on-one break, and all too often his first touch is far too heavy. How many more chances will he get?
MF Mousa Dembele, 7 — Brought on for Winks to give Spurs more possession. Dembele held the ball up well and showed signs he is nearly back to full fitness.
MF Georges-Kevin N’Koudou, NR — Late replacement for Kane. Had a golden opportunity to score his first Spurs goal late on, but was too slow to anticipate Eriksen’s pass.
John Crace is one of ESPN FC’s Tottenham bloggers. Follow him on Twitter @JohnJCrace.