Even before the Tottenham players had heard confirmation of Inter Milan’s draw with PSV Eindhoven, those gathered near the touchline at the Nou Camp could sense that this was a special moment in the club’s history.
A famous win had eluded them, but a point – salvaged with just five minutes left by the effervescent Lucas Moura - was enough. Perhaps most importantly of all, it was a result that spoke of one of Spurs’ famous ‘Glory, Glory’ nights – the all-white kit, under the lights, battling against the odds.
Harry Kane admitted it was “right up there” with the north Londoners’ greatest achievements in the Champions League, snatching qualification from Group B despite taking just a point from their first three group games.
Barcelona had made seven changes from the side that beat Espanyol 4-0, but that shouldn’t take too much away from what was yet another momentous occasion for Spurs in Europe.
The Sportsman takes a look at some of their finest hours:
Tottenham 3-1 Inter Milan (2010)
Gareth Bale had already announced himself on the biggest stage of all with his hat-trick at the San Siro, but this was arguably the Welshman’s best performance in a Lilywhite shirt. He ripped Maicon to shreds as he tore down the wing and provided two assists, leaving Inter a shadow of the team that had won the treble under Jose Mourinho.
Tottenham 8-1 Gornik Zabrze (1961)
Spurs’ opponents from September 1961 are no longer household names, but the club’s first ever European Cup game has never been forgotten by the older generation. Spurs thumped Gornik Zabrze 8-1 thanks to a hat-trick from their original Welsh wizard, Cliff Jones, while Bobby Smith (2), Terry Dyson, captain Danny Blanchflower, and John White also got themselves on the scoresheet.
Tottenham 5-1 Atletico Madrid (1963)
The 1960s was a decade of firsts for the club – and as it stands, lasts, as well – and 1963 saw Tottenham become the first British team to win a European trophy. They beat holders Atletico Madrid 5-1 in the Cup Winners’ Cup final, this time thanks to a Jimmy Greaves masterclass. Their record goalscorer netted a brace, as did Terry Dyson, before White added another.
Tottenham 3-1 Real Madrid (2017)
A slightly more recent memory but a special night at Wembley, nonetheless, because of the magnitude of the task before them. Just as Bale came of age against Inter, Dele Alli might well look back on his performance against the reigning champions as the moment he showed he was ready to step up on the biggest occasions. An under-par Madrid were picked apart with ease and, as one commentator put it, Tottenham were in dreamland as they surged into a 3-0 lead.
Tottenham 1-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers (1972)
Back when the UEFA Cup final was a two-legged affair, Spurs welcomed Wolves to the Lane having beaten them 2-1 at Molineux. An Alan Mullery header was enough to win them their second European trophy.
Tottenham 1-1 Anderlecht (1984)
Spurs once again went into the second leg of the UEFA Cup final still very much in it thanks to a draw in Belgium. The return in north London turned Graham Roberts into a legend, the captain scoring before lifting the trophy after a penalty shootout that ended 4-3. His side were spurred on by the famous ‘Tottenham Roar’ who backed the young Danny Thomas all the way despite his miss from 12 yards. Tony Parks was the hero in goal as Keith Burkinshaw landed his final trophy as Spurs boss.
