For the second time in a fortnight, Harry Kane and Cristiano Ronaldo faced off on one of the world’s grandest stages. From the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid, the action moved to Wembley as both Tottenham and Real Madrid looked to wrap up qualification to the Champions League knockout stages.
Like two weeks ago, yet again it was Ronaldo who came out on top in the goals column and Kane’s team which came away with the better result. After impressing in a 1-1 draw in Madrid, Tottenham played the European and Spanish champions off the park on Wednesday in a stunning 3-1 win.
Here’s a look at the two teams’ star players and their performances on the night.
Goals – 0
Assists – 1
Shots – 4
Shots on target – 3
Touches – 32
Passes – 15
Key passes – 2
Dribbles – 3
Other than not scoring, Kane barely put a foot wrong.
Goals – 1
Assists – 0
Shots – 7
Shots on target – 5
Touches – 47
Passes – 35
Key passes – 0
Dribbles – 2
It was a frustrating night for Ronaldo even though he got on the scoresheet.
Alli grabbed the headlines, deservedly, and Kane didn’t impact the game in the way he’s most known for, which is by getting on the scoresheet. Yet this was another classy, composed performance from a player who’s smashing down the door to the exclusive club of “world class” players.
Kane’s movement created space for his teammates that was crucial for Spurs’ attacks, and his work rate was yet again an example of what makes him a manager’s dream with his assist for Spurs’ third goal pretty much sealing his team’s qualification in the group stages.
The performance. The result. The knockout rounds. 👍👌#COYS #UCL pic.twitter.com/N2riP3FpqN
— Harry Kane (@HKane) November 1, 2017
The Madrid star hasn’t had the best of starts this season, but this was one of those games where his teammates let him down. His movement leading the line was actually excellent, but his teammates repeatedly failed to pick him out, either by failing to find him or not attempting to in the first place.
He did eventually get a goal, and probably could have had more than one, but ultimately he and his teammates were outclassed by Kane and Spurs.
Cristiano Ronaldo: Has now scored more goals (6) than any other player in the Champions League this season
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) November 1, 2017
12th min SHOT: He didn’t score, but this attempt from Kane showed the confidence the young Englishman is feeling at the moment. Kane beat Sergio Ramos to the ball and then, from outside the box, attempted an audacious chip. It settled harmlessly into Kiko Casilla’s arms, but not many players have the confidence or ability to try something like that.
26th min: This is the sort of work that endears Kane to fans, observers, and coaches. Alli’s pass to the striker was overhit and should have been easily dealt with by Madrid defender Nacho. Instead, Kane put Nacho under pressure and forced a throw-in. It was from that throw that Spurs eventually scored their opener.
65th min ASSIST: A classic counter-attack, and it was Kane’s awareness and vision that put the game out of Madrid’s reach. Alli’s ball released the striker, and then he held the ball for just enough time to see how the play had developed around him. Christian Eriksen was bursting forward, and Kane picked him out with just the right pass to allow the Dane to put Spurs up 3-0.
Kane’s assist for Eriksen put Spurs out of Madrid’s reach.
32nd min SHOT: Ronaldo showcased his ability to create something out of nothing. From the left wing, some trademark footwork helped the forward buy just a little bit of space for himself, which he used send a fizzing shot towards goal which needed the save from Hugo Lloris.
62nd min CHANCE: It was a moment that typified Ronaldo’s night, and Madrid’s. An almighty goalmouth scramble saw the ball fall to Sergio Ramos at point-blank range. He hit a strike that almost certainly would have been a goal, had it not been for Ronaldo’s excellent, if inadvertent, defensive work in blocking his teammate’s shot.
80th min GOAL: For a moment, it seemed like Madrid were on the comeback trail, and it was thanks to Ronaldo finally finding the back of the net. This goal was largely due to the work of Borja Mayoral and Marcelo in the build-up, and Ronaldo was on hand in the box to sweep home.
Ronaldo’s goal means he’s now the leading scorer in this year’s Champions League.
Couldn’t round off two excellent games against one of the world’s biggest clubs with a goal, but was otherwise a thorn in Real Madrid’s side throughout.
It was one of the rare nights where he wasn’t Spurs’ best player, but his performance leading the line was crucial to Tottenham’s win.
Harry Kane has been involved in more Goals (7) than any other player in the Champions League in 2017/18.
5 Goals ⚽️
2 Assists 🅰️ pic.twitter.com/5KWZ2gsM9y— Harry Kane Stats (@HarryKaneStats_) November 1, 2017
Ronaldo will have worse games in which he scores more goals.
His movement was exactly what you’d expect from one of the world’s leading strikers, and he tested Lloris on more than one occasion before finally beating him for what ended up being a mere consolation.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored and tasted defeat in a #UCL game for only the 6th time in his career. pic.twitter.com/stjohn1P8U
— Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) November 1, 2017
