Five things we learned from the draw against Barcelona

Tottenham Hotspur drew (despite it feeling like a win) against Barcelona last night at the Camp Nou.

Spurs needed to match whatever result Inter Milan got at home to PSV, and luckily for anyone associated with Tottenham, that score was also 1-1.

This meant that Tottenham snuck the final qualification spot from their group, with it coming down to their head to head record against the Italians.

Here are five things we learned from the match.

Spurs are through

Against all the odds, Tottenham are through to the knockout phase of the 2018 Champions League. Despite only taking a point from their opening three matches, Spurs came back to take seven from their next trio of games. Thanks to a PSV draw against Inter tonight, a 1-1 result away to Barca was enough to seal a place in the next round for a determined Tottenham.

The new stadium may see Champions League football yet

Spurs were the subject of many jibes on social media last month as their posters for the new stadium advertised it as the only place to watch Champions League football in London this season. After three games it looked as if the club wouldn’t even get to play any Champions League games there, but there may still be hope. Spurs will definitely be playing at least one game in March, and The Sun report the stadium should be ready in February.

The occasion was a lot for KWP

Kyle Walker-Peters struggled in the early parts of the game against Barca tonight. It was his mistake after seven minutes that gifted the Spanish side an early lead. Instead of clearing the ball or finding a pass, the young full back gave the ball away to Dembele on the half way line and was unable to prevent him tucking it past Lloris. However, it was always a lot to ask for KWP to come into the biggest game of the season without any real match experience this campaign. He recovered from his mistakes in the end, but not a night to remember for the kid.

Danny Rose was back to his best

What a performance tonight from this guy. It was like watching the Danny Rose before his long-term injury a couple of seasons ago. He was up and down that left hand side all night, driving past defenders while also tracking back with some well-timed challenges. For me, he was man of the match on a memorable night at the Camp Nou.

The passion was real

The looks on the players’ faces after hearing the full time score at the San Siro said it all. Pure passion, pure joy, pure love for the badge. We talk a lot about how Alderweireld will likely leave at the end of the season, but he was pumping his fists and roaring along with the others come full time. This tight knit squad of players is in it together, and clearly love playing for the club as one unit. Onto the next round!

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