📝 Second half goals the difference as Spurs dominate Dortmund | OneFootball

Tottenham beat Borussia Dortmund 3-0 thanks to second half goals from Heung-min Son, Jan Vertonghen and Fernando Llorente.

In what was an even first 45 minutes, the best chance went to Lucas Moura just a few moments after kick off. A superb touch and volley from the Brazilian whistled past Roman Bürki’s far post with the Tottenham man certain he had scored.

Jadon Sancho meanwhile had a few nice touches, but it was Dan-Axel Zagadou who went closest for the Bundesliga leaders – forcing Hugo Lloris into a smart save right on half-time.

Into the second period and it didn’t take long for Mauricio Pochettino’s men to take the lead. A cross from Vertonghen found Son, who volleyed in brilliantly.

Spurs continued to press for a second and they got their rewards with just 10 minutes remaining.

A raking cross deep from the right found Vertonghen, who slid in from close range to double their advantage.

They weren’t finished there though, as with the clock ticking down, Eriksen whipped in a corner, who then found Llorente to nod past Bürki.

👨‍🎤Hero and villain

Jan Vertonghen

Played out of position as a left wing-back, all the talk before the game was how he would be made to look a fool by Jadon Sancho. Instead, the Belgian was a sensation – creating the first with his cross and then sliding in from deep for the second.

Villain: Achraf Hakimi

Was brutally exposed throughout and constantly showed his inexperience at this level. It was his poor pass the gave away the ball for the Son goal, and then he lost his man for the second. Disappointing.

📖 What we learned from this game

It started as a tight affair between two young, exciting, attacking sides. Ultimately though, Tottenham had more nous at this level and showed their class late on to put the tie, you’d think, beyond reach.

Mauricio Pochettino’s men were compact in defence, controlled the ball when in possession, and utilised Heung-min Son’s energy and movement to perfection.

For Dortmund, they never really got Sancho on the ball and in space, with the north London outfit clearly highlighting the teenager as the danger man.

With Sancho surrounded, it should have meant plenty of time and opportunities for Mario Götze, but he showed exactly why he’s not a natural centre-forward.

🤔 What this means

Tottenham go into the second leg with a three-goal lead and you’d be a brave punter to bet against them going through to the quarter-finals.

Their next meeting is on March 5.

❓ What’s next?

Tottenham travel to Burnley for a Premier League fixture a week on Saturday.

Dortmund meanwhile go to Nürnberg in three days time.