Tottenham Hotspur threw away all three points in their Champions League opener as late goals from Mauro Icardi and Matias Vecino saw Inter Milan snatch a 2-1 victory at the death at the San Siro.
Late goals from Mauro Icardi and Matias Vecino stunned Tottenham as Inter Milan celebrated their return to the Champions League with a dramatic Group B win. Christian Eriksen's deflected strike earlier in the second half looked to have been decisive for Spurs, who stepped up a gear after an unconvincing first period, beset by poor passing.
However, Argentine Icardi, a peripheral figure for long periods, levelled with a 20-yard volley five minutes from time. And Uruguayan midfielder Vecino then headed a winner in added time to send Spurs to a third consecutive defeat.
It had looked like being a good evening for Mauricio Pochettino's side, even if they started as though back-to-back Premier League defeats by Watford and Liverpool had taken their toll. If that encouraged a vociferous San Siro crowd, Luciano Spalleti's team were unable to capitalise.
Instead they carried their indifferent Serie A form - they are 15th after winning just one of their first four games - into European competition, and were eventually punished by Denmark midfielder Eriksen.
The 26-year-old was the visitors' stand-out performer and followed up on his own parried shot to give Spurs the lead with an effort that veered over goalkeeper Samir Handanovic via a nick off Inter defender Miranda.
For drama, it all looked a far cry from the clubs' last meeting in the competition in 2010, when the Italians led 4-0 after 35 minutes before a 21-year-old Gareth Bale announced himself with a hat-trick that nearly transformed the game.
But drama there was, at the very last, as Inter first looked to have salvaged a point, and then stole all three to follow group leaders F. C Barcelona with a opening-day win.
The stats
* Tottenham Hotspur have won just one of their past 10 European matches away from home against Italian opposition (D4 L5).
* Inter Milan forward Mauro Icardi has scored in each of his past three appearances in European competition, after scoring just one in his previous 11 games.
* Inter Milan have won four of their past five Champions League matches against English teams (L1 - vs Spurs).
* Tottenham's Christian Eriksen has scored three goals in his past five Champions League appearances, one more than in his previous 24 in the competition.
* Harry Kane attempted no shots in this match for Tottenham - only the second time since the start of last season that Kane has not attempted a single shot in a match in which he has played at least 45 minutes for Spurs in all competitions (also vs Man City in April 2018).
* This is the first time that Spurs have lost three consecutive games in all competitions under Mauricio Pochettino and the first time since March 2014, under Tim Sherwood.
- Source: News websites