VAR: Tottenham's Harry Kane robbed of dramatic late winner vs Sporting Lisbon | OneFootball

Tottenham Hotspur will have to wait to secure passage to the UEFA Champions League knockout stage.

Antonio Conte’s side were held to a 1-1 draw by Sporting Lisbon on Wednesday evening, although they came agonisingly close to victory.

Rodrigo Bentancur cancelled out Marcus Edwards’ opener in the second half with a towering header from a corner and then Spurs pushed for a qualification-sealing win on home soil.

And they thought they'd achieved just that in the fifth minute of stoppage-time when Harry Kane latched onto Emerson Royal's knockdown inside the penalty area.

The England captain lofted the ball over Adan to send the home fans inside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium wild.

But then VAR - as it seems to do far too regularly for our liking - stepped in and spoiled the party.

After a ridiculously long review of the goal, those operating the technology eventually decided that Kane was fractionally offside.

To say it was a close call would be the understatement of all understatements...

Video: Kane's goal ruled out by VAR for offside

Wow. That's a bit ridiculous isn't it? Another day, another snippet of VAR drama and there's going to be a lot more as the 2022/23 season progresses.

Conte was sent off for his protests from the sidelines, while Eric Dier ran over to question the decision made by the team of officials after the full-time whistle had been blown.

Video: Dier questions the decision to disallow Kane's goal

Dier said with regards to the offside call: "But why?! Why?! The ball went backwards!"

Carnage, absolute carnage in north London and the incident is certainly going to be discussed at length in the days to come.

Spurs top Group D going into the final round of matches

Despite the fact Kane's goal was controversially chalked off by VAR, Spurs' destiny in this season's Champions League is still firmly in their own hands.

Conte's side are currently top of Group D on eight points and if they beat bottom side Marseille away from home in their final game, they'll go through as winners.

The French outfit were defeated 2-1 by Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday night and Spurs will certainly fancy their chances of winning at the Stade Velodrome, even without Conte orchestrating things from the touchline.