Internazionale Strikes Late, Sinks Spurs

After eight years without Champions League football, Inter Milan returned in a brilliant way.

The Nerazzuri -- Black-&-Blues -- turned around a 1-0 deficit to register a 2-1 victory over Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham Hotspur, who were punished with two late goals.

Maybe Spurs missed Hugo Lloris -- who's got his own issues -- for motivational reasons if nothing else. His mates are 3-0-0 with him.

In contrast, his caddy -- Dutchman Michael Vorm -- has been between the posts in their subsequent three straight losses, and he didn't help his cause in this one.

 

Despite a marvelous atmosphere at the San Siro, the visitor had the better chances. Harry Kane almost scored, but his effort went wide from Samir Handanović’s post.

In fact, for only the second time in his career, Kane never put a shot on goal in this game. That kinda night.

Yet, dudes put themselves in position to come away with at least a point.

Tottenham grabbed the advantage in the 53rd minute. Christian Eriksen’s long-range effort was palmed away by Handanović. The Dane alertly gained possession of the rebound and fired a half-volley that deflected off Miranda and looped over the keeper:

 

That what clean livin' will do for you.

Spurs' actually acquitted themselves rather adeptly on offense, zipping 6 shots on goal outta 11 taken, but it was not to be.

Inter hadn't seemed settled during the match through it all, but their fortunes changed in the 85th. A useful cross from the left found Mauro Icardi, who stepped up and launched a heatseeker that caught Vorm in too deep, flat-footed, and off guard:

 

A perpetual flaw in Tottenham's game doomed them in the 92nd minute.

Whatever the mystery is about set pieces, their defense just can't figure them out.

A sharp corner, found its way to Stefan de Vrij, whose header ended up being a floater to Matías Vecino. Dude made no mistake:

 

This will surely add to Inter's confidence.

Meanwhile, Lloris is likely out one more game. For Spurs' sake, that'd better be all.