Real Madrid 1-1 Tottenham: Hugo Lloris the hero as Spurs earn a valuable point after Cristiano Ronaldo penalty cancels out Raphael Varane own goal

  • Tottenham began with unusual line-up at the Bernabeu as Fernando Llorente was paired with Kane up front
  • Cristiano Ronaldo hit the post after just four minutes before Karim Benzema put open goal rebound wide
  • Spurs took a surprise lead against Real Madrid after Raphael Varane deflected a cross into his own goal
  • Harry Kane's cheeky back-heeled flick went in off the centre back as Tottenham impressed early on in Spain
  • However Ronaldo drew Real level from penalty spot after a silly foul by Tottenham full back Serge Aurier  
  • Hugo Lloris brilliantly saved with his legs from point blank range against Benzema early in the second half 

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Forget Harry Kane for just one moment. After this, the player Tottenham may have to keep out of Real Madrid's clutches is Hugo Lloris.

Indeed, Real may look to take a job lot having seen the immense potential in this Spurs team. Harry Winks was excellent given the giant responsibility of marshalling midfield and Eric Dier was unexpectedly at home against a terrifying forward line in a back three deployed by Mauricio Pochettino.

The whole defence was superb, in fact, in withstanding the onslaught of the first team to retain the Champions League in the modern era. And even if Kane missed his best chance, one on one, he caused enough panic in Madrid's back line to get partial credit for the Tottenham goal. Real will be worried about him at Wembley, have no doubt of that. 


Tottenham took the lead away to Real Madrid after Raphael Varane deflected a cross into his own goal

Tottenham took the lead away to Real Madrid after Raphael Varane deflected a cross into his own goal

Harry Kane's cheeky back-heeled flick went in off the French centre back as Tottenham impressed in the Spanish capital

Harry Kane's cheeky back-heeled flick went in off the French centre back as Tottenham impressed in the Spanish capital

However Cristiano Ronaldo drew Real level from the penalty spot on 43 minutes after a silly foul by full back Serge Aurier

However Cristiano Ronaldo drew Real level from the penalty spot on 43 minutes after a silly foul by full back Serge Aurier

Ronaldo celebrates scoring the opener, after Toni Kroos was hacked down by Aurier's ill-timed challenge on the midfielder

Ronaldo celebrates scoring the opener, after Toni Kroos was hacked down by Aurier's ill-timed challenge on the midfielder

Hugo Lloris produced a sensational point-blank save in the second half to prevent Karim Benzema from giving Real the lead

Hugo Lloris produced a sensational point-blank save in the second half to prevent Karim Benzema from giving Real the lead

Kane had a glorious chance to regain the lead for Spurs but Keylor Navas came up with the goods to save the striker's effort 

Kane had a glorious chance to regain the lead for Spurs but Keylor Navas came up with the goods to save the striker's effort 

Lloris, pictured waving to the Spurs fans following the final whistle, played a starring role in spirited away performance

Lloris, pictured waving to the Spurs fans following the final whistle, played a starring role in spirited away performance

FULL LINE-UPS, GOALS, STATS AND MATCH ZONE

Real Madrid (4-3-3): Navas; Hakimi, Ramos, Varane, Marcelo; Casemiro, Modric, Kroos; Ronaldo, Isco (Vazquez 87), Benzema (Asensio 76)

Unused subs: Casilla, Nacho, Theo, M. Llorente, Ceballos

Goal: Ronaldo pen 43 

Booked: Ronaldo 32

Tottenham (5-3-2): Lloris; Aurier, Dier, Alderweireld, Sanchez, Vertonghen; Sissoko (Son 89), Winks, Eriksen; F. Llorente (Rose 80), Kane

Unused subs: Vorm, Foyth, Trippier, Walker-Peters, Georgiou

Goal: Varane og 28

Booked: Aurier 43

Tottenham put together a quick back-to-front move to take the lead, the goal eventually going in off defender Raphael Varane. For more stats and facts, visit our exclusive MATCH ZONE service by clicking here.

Tottenham put together a quick back-to-front move to take the lead, the goal eventually going in off defender Raphael Varane. For more stats and facts, visit our exclusive MATCH ZONE service by clicking here.

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Yet it would all have come to nought were it not for a man-of-the-match performance by Lloris. Not that Tottenham were pinned back or overwhelmed. He wasn't Jan Tomaszewski, saving with every part of his body. It wouldn't have been 10-0 without him.

Yet two or three saves were outstanding — and one stop was exceptional, arguably the save of the season so far. They will remember him here after this — and sometimes, with Real, that can be dangerous. Madrid's interest in David de Gea is long-standing, so we know they are in the market for a keeper. 

And had it been an audition, it really couldn't have gone better for Lloris, particularly in the second half when Madrid came out with their dander up having equalised just before half time. In a sustained spell, between the 55th and 65th minutes, Lloris made three saves, starting with the best of them all from Karim Benzema.

It wasn't the happiest night for Madrid's striker — he had three decent chances and should have scored from all of them, but at the start of the second half he must have felt his luck had changed.

Casemiro provided the cross and Benzema met it with a header that looked for all the world like the go-ahead goal. Somehow Lloris kept it out. Somehow he was quick and agile enough to block and snatch the roars from the throats of the Madridistas. 

Real Madrid almost took the lead after only four minutes against Tottenham, Ronaldo hitting the post

Real Madrid almost took the lead after only four minutes against Tottenham, Ronaldo hitting the post

Ronaldo reacts after his header clattered the woodwork, Benzema then putting the rebound wide of an open goal

Ronaldo reacts after his header clattered the woodwork, Benzema then putting the rebound wide of an open goal

Ronaldo chases down a bouncing ball in the early stages of the game, pursued by Spurs defender Toby Alderweireld

Ronaldo chases down a bouncing ball in the early stages of the game, pursued by Spurs defender Toby Alderweireld

Real left back Marcelo beats Spurs right back Aurier with a pass as the hosts enjoyed the bulk of possession early doors

Real left back Marcelo beats Spurs right back Aurier with a pass as the hosts enjoyed the bulk of possession early doors

Spurs were undaunted by the reigning champions, however, and came close when Kane's header was palmed away

Spurs were undaunted by the reigning champions, however, and came close when Kane's header was palmed away

He did it again soon after when Winks had lost possession and Madrid fed Cristiano Ronaldo on the break. Lloris was magnificent in keeping his shot out — and again two minutes later when Ronaldo had sped past three.

At times of such intense pressure it is not like Madrid have found a new gear, more like they have been tossed the keys to a whole new car. A Lamborghini, perhaps — or Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes.

Yet Lloris stood tall through it all. He made several other fine stops from Isco and Ronaldo and held his nerve despite the frustrated whistles of the locals, taking time out of the game and allowing Pochettino's team to maintain their composure while earning an incredibly gutsy point.

Late in the day, as Madrid sent in a corner, Lloris came from his line, rose imperiously and plucked the ball out of the air. He looked at home here, it has to be said.

As did Tottenham. Remarkably, considering their struggles in this competition last season, they lead Group H having played Madrid away. They also enjoy a six-point cushion over Borussia Dortmund, the club it was felt they would wrestle for second place. 

A dangerous cross from the right hand side was not dealt with by Varane and the deflection outfoxed Keylor Navas

A dangerous cross from the right hand side was not dealt with by Varane and the deflection outfoxed Keylor Navas

Kane is congratulated for his important part in the opener by his team mates including Eric Dier and Christian Eriksen

Kane is congratulated for his important part in the opener by his team mates including Eric Dier and Christian Eriksen

Ronaldo's frustrations grew further after the opening goal, and he was booked for starting an altercation with Jan Vertonghen

Ronaldo's frustrations grew further after the opening goal, and he was booked for starting an altercation with Jan Vertonghen

Aurier caught Kroos as he attempted to worm his way through a series of tackles, thus ending a good half on a sour note

Aurier caught Kroos as he attempted to worm his way through a series of tackles, thus ending a good half on a sour note

Ronaldo assuredly stepped up to end a frustrating half for him and put Real on a high note with an excellently hit penalty kick

Ronaldo assuredly stepped up to end a frustrating half for him and put Real on a high note with an excellently hit penalty kick

A world of possibilities is opening up — including one in which they achieve the much-needed landmark result at Wembley, the one that changes the narrative at their temporary home.

Imagine if they defeated Real Madrid there. After this, it is not unthinkable. This was not Kane's best performance, but he frightens Madrid. Maybe their attempts at flattery — interpreted as the seeds of an attempted courtship — have built up Kane's prowess in the minds of Madrid's defenders.

Tottenham went ahead because Madrid were frit by him. The goal came after 28 minutes, Tottenham growing into the game following an early scare when Ronaldo hit a post and Benzema squandered the rebound with the goal begging. Gradually, though, Tottenham gained composure and began to threaten.

Kane had a header well saved by Keylor Navas and Fernando Llorente had a shout for a penalty rejected, after his standing leg was taken by Casemiro. In front of the most vocal sector of the Bernabeu, it would have been a bold call by Polish referee Szymon Marciniak, and he wasn't about to do anything silly like that. 

Benzema was sure he had given Real the lead, but his close-range effort was extraordinarily saved by Lloris' legs

Benzema was sure he had given Real the lead, but his close-range effort was extraordinarily saved by Lloris' legs

The Tottenham captain was magnificent, making a tremendous stretching stop to deny Ronaldo's powerful drive

The Tottenham captain was magnificent, making a tremendous stretching stop to deny Ronaldo's powerful drive

Spurs began with an unusual line-up at the Bernabeu with target man Fernando Llorente paired with Kane up front

Spurs began with an unusual line-up at the Bernabeu with target man Fernando Llorente paired with Kane up front

Llorente is unable to quite shepherd the ball home past Navas, with pressure from Varane forcing a goal kick off the forward

Llorente is unable to quite shepherd the ball home past Navas, with pressure from Varane forcing a goal kick off the forward

Sergio Ramos goes airborne but just misses a cross as Real continued to pile on the pressure in the second half

Sergio Ramos goes airborne but just misses a cross as Real continued to pile on the pressure in the second half

Lloris, as he did all evening, gathers the ball safely into his gloves, as he repelled almost everything Real could throw at him

Lloris, as he did all evening, gathers the ball safely into his gloves, as he repelled almost everything Real could throw at him

SUPER STAT 

10 - Cristiano Ronaldo has now scored 10 goals in 13 Champions League appearances against English clubs after his penalty on Tuesday night. Only Lionel Messi (17) has more.

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So, Tottenham had to make their own luck and from their next foray into the box, they did. Serge Aurier made excellent ground on the right and whipped in a lovely ball which Kane tried to flick into Navas's goal with his heel. He missed, but sufficiently worried Raphael Varane that the defender stabbed at a clearance and, in doing so, put the ball into his own net.

Sadly, as wonderful as Aurier is going forward, he can be a liability in defence. In the 42nd minute, his clumsy challenge gave referee Marciniak the chance to award the type of penalty that never spells controversy at the Bernabeu — a penalty to Real Madrid.

As the professionals say, Aurier went to ground too early and in a place that invited trouble. In doing so, he took Toni Kroos with him and Marciniak did not pass up the opportunity to be popular. He pointed to the spot and Ronaldo finished emphatically.

Having survived another onslaught, Tottenham could have nicked it. On 71 minutes, Llorente put Kane in with only Navas to beat, but the keeper diverted his shot round a post. Kane will have been disappointed not to score, but knowing what a goal would have done to his stock here, maybe for Spurs fans it was for the best.

It was still very good. When Madrid come to Wembley, they will know they are not just facing a Harry Kane team, but a group who continue to grow in stature.

Real manager Zinedine Zidane sits on the bench during the first half of the Group H match in the Champions League

Real manager Zinedine Zidane sits on the bench during the first half of the Group H match in the Champions League

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino speaks to Vertonghen, one of five defenders he chose to line up on Tuesday night

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino speaks to Vertonghen, one of five defenders he chose to line up on Tuesday night

Kane warms up for the game against Real, who have been linked with a move for the England international striker

Kane warms up for the game against Real, who have been linked with a move for the England international striker

Tottenham fans gathered in Plaza Mayor in Madrid all day on Tuesday before the evening kick-off at the Bernabeu

Tottenham fans gathered in Plaza Mayor in Madrid all day on Tuesday before the evening kick-off at the Bernabeu

Pre-match a minute's silence was held in memory of the victims of forest fires which have ravaged parts of Spain this week

Pre-match a minute's silence was held in memory of the victims of forest fires which have ravaged parts of Spain this week