(Football news) Two late goals by Sporting CP resulted in Antonio Conte’s Tottenham losing 2-0 in their second Group Stage game of the UEFA Champions League. Spurs made a single change for the match as Ben Davies replaced Clement Lenglet while Sporting featured former Tottenham player Marcus Edwards in their starting line-up after the 23 year old produced a goalscoring performance against Eintracht Frankfurt. 

The hosts began on a bright note, capitalising on any mistake committed by the Tottenham players with Hugo Lloris being forced to make a save from Pedro Goncalves. Marcus Edwards continued to trouble his former side, dribbling past Spurs players shortly before the break and exchanging passes with Trincao but the move didn’t find the back of the net. Comparatively, the visitors were far from their best, sloppy and sluggish in possession with RIcharlison being caught repeatedly offside. 

Tottenham displayed an improved performance after the break by creating a number of chances, one of which coming when Emerson Royal headed wide followed by a shot that went straight at Sporting goalkeeper Antonio Adan. Harry Kane also tested Adan while Richarlison shot wide in a flurry of opportunities for Spurs but they couldn’t take advantage of any of them. Sporting showed great resilience and soon gained their composure and were soon rewarded when Hugo Lloris made a brilliant save from Pedro Porro from a set piece but Paulinho headed home at the near post from the resulting corner in the 90th minute. To make matters worse, Gomes scored the hosts’ second goal in the 90 + 3rd minute to spark wild celebrations from the home fans in what is undoubtedly a big victory for Sporting CP.

Speaking after the match, Tottenham manager Antonio Conte said “Difficult result. For sure when you lose the game you are not happy. Today the game was in balance in the second half. We could score and we tried to win the game. In the last 10 minutes, we can do much better. They score with a corner and then we concede the second goal. A difficult game for sure. We tried to get the win but then at the end we lost the game. When you arrive you have to try to fill the box. You have to be accurate and be stronger to attack the goal. We can do much better. Now we have to try to rest and think about the next game in the Premier League." 

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