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An exquisite 45-yard volley from Atud Fokobo in extra time set the seal on Sporting Lisbon’s passage to the semi-finals of the NextGen Series, his goal finally killing off Tottenham’s hopes of joining Chelsea and Aston Villa in the final four.
The 19-year-old Cameroonian centre-back, who made his senior debut for the Portuguese club this month, showed phenomenal audacity and technique to leave Spurs goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux clasping at thin air.
It was a fitting finale to a topsy-turvy game which saw Spurs fight back from 3-1 down to force extra time with a late flourish.
Talented: Sporting Lisbon had too much for Tottenham
MATCH FACTS
Tottenham: Vigouroux, Barthram, Stewart (c), McQueen), Dombaxe, Veljkovic, Ball, Oduwa (Onomah), Bentaleb, Coulthirst, Lameiras (Lesniak,), McEvoy (Michael-Percil)
Subs not used: McEnef, Priestley
Goals: Oduwa 7, Dombaxe (pen) 81, Michael-Percil 90+4
Booked: Ball
Sporting Lisbon
Meira, Riquicho, Semedo, Pigueiredo, Pinto, Fokobo, Esgaio (Podence), Palhinha (Ie), Coelho (Guedes), Rosa, Medeiros (Stojanovic)
Subs not used: Oliviera, Manafa, Martins
Goals: Coelho 6, 17; Semedo (pen) 63, Guedes 94, Fokobo 104
Booked: Palhinha, Riquicho
Ref: Michael Bull
Att: 685
Technically sound, fluid and confident, the Portuguese side that produced Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Figo demonstrated their production line is still in good working order.
But Spurs, who had lacked a cutting edge until the very end of the evening, took advantage of tiring legs to stay in the contest thanks to a Laste Dombaxe penalty and Roman Michael-Percil’s last gasp equaliser.
Chief among Sporting’s talents was number seven Ricardo Esgaio. While comparisons with a certain Real Madrid megastar should stop at the shirt number, the 19-year-old winger, who has represented Portugal at four age groups, has plenty about him to suggest a bright future.
Intelligent in his running and awareness of team-mates, he gave Tottenham’s back line an uncomfortable evening, the highlight coming with a pinpoint right-wing cross for Alberto Coelho to stab home Sporting’s second on 17 minutes.
Spurs might have advanced but for their suicidal tendency at the back, with Vigouroux looking uneasy under every high ball. If Sporting were expected to take Spurs on with a bag of tricks and intricate passing, they quickly discovered the good old-fashioned long ball was far more effective.
The visitors took little time to acclimatise on a freezing east London evening and had the lead on six minutes.
Tottenham didn’t do themselves any favours, setting the theme for the night. The defence was slow to react and clear the danger and with Vigouroux in no man’s land, Coelho surprised everyone with a perfectly-flighted lob into an unguarded net.
But the response was swift and lethal. Jack Bartham sent a searching ball from the right side and the Sporting defence had a lackadaisical moment of their own, allowing Nathan Oduwa to pounce on the loose ball and hammer it into the net.
Game on? Jimmy Smith (right) scored Tottenham's third in injury time
They could have taken the lead shortly afterwards, but Kenny McEvoy could only find the goalkeeper after a driving run down the left.
The comparisons between McEvoy and Gareth Bale extend far beyond their identical appearance but the youngster might seek out some advice on finishing. He had a carbon-copy chance later in the half, with the same outcome.
In the meantime, Sporting reestablished their lead with Coelho showing great improvisation to poke home Esgaio’s perfect cross.
The second period was a tale of two penalties and an inspired sub by Spurs coach John McDermott. On 63 minutes, as the hosts again demonstrated great powers of self-destruction, Sporting had a spot-kick when Vigouroux clattered Joao Palhinha in the head.
Battling: Spurs' Dominic Ball (left) challenges Sporting Lisbon's Ricardo Esgaio for possession
Ruben Semedo, a defender, produced a perfect penalty and the game seemed finished.
But credit for Spurs for ensuring a frenetic finale - official Michael Bull awarded them a penalty when Shaquile Coulthirst was hacked down callously and Dombaxe slotted home following an elaborate run-up.
Coulthirst also headed a McEvoy cross over the bar as the clock ticked down and it had nearly expired when Spurs grabbed an improbable equaliser to force extra time.
Cold: The conditions weren't attractive at Brisbane Road
After all Tottenham’s shakiness at the back, Sporting returned the compliment in the fourth minute of stoppage time. A high cross looked a doddle for goalkeeper Mickael Meira to claim but he collided with his centre-half and substitute Roman Michael-Percil, who had just come on, was left with the simplest of finishes.
Five minutes into extra time and Sporting’s redoubtable spirit showed through - Alexandre Guedes spun and fired a shot that Vigouroux seemed to misjudge as it bounced in front of him.
Then Fokobo stuck with a goal that will live long in the memory of the 685 present. The defender, a good 45 yards out, had no other thought but to shoot and his volley soared majestically past Vigouroux to seal their passage to the last four at Lake Como in Italy at the end of the month.
Extra-time winners: The score finished 5-3 to Lisbon
