Champions League: Manchester City dumped out by Tottenham in astonishing quarter-final classic

Tottenham have reached the Champions League semi-finals for the first time as Manchester City's 4-3 second leg victory was not enough to prevent them from going out via the away goals rule.   

That match finished 4-4 on aggregate, but Spurs' three away goals at Etihad Stadium
were enough to send them through to the next round where they will play Ajax for a place in the final against Liverpool or Barcelona.           

In a dramatic finale to an astonishing contest on Thursday (NZ time), City had a stoppage-time goal from Raheem Sterling, which would have sent them through, ruled out for offside after VAR review confirmed that Sergio Aguero was offside in the build-up.              

City took a fourth minute lead through a beautiful curling shot from Sterling but Spurs struck back with two quick goals from Son Heung-min - the second of them a magnificent finish.         

The manic opening period continued when Bernardo Silva brought the home side level in the 11th minute with a deflected shot and then Sterling struck again to make it 3-2 in the 21st minute.      

Fernando Llorente scores the controversial match winner.
Fernando Llorente scores the controversial match winner. Photo credit: Reuters

A thundering strike from Aguero in the 59th minute put City in the driving seat again but they were stunned in the 73rd minute when Spurs substitute Fernando Llorente bundled in a Kieran Trippier corner to restore the London club's advantage through away goals.

The two teams will squre off again on Saturday. 

Meanwhile, a resurgent Mohamed Salah scored one and set up another to inspire a clinical Liverpool to a 4-1 win at Porto in their Champions League quarter-final second leg.

The win sets up a last-four clash with Barcelona.

The Reds, who eased through 6-1 on aggregate, held off Porto in the early stages before Salah and Sadio Mane combined for the Senegalese to put them ahead with their first shot on target following a VAR review.     

Egypt striker Salah doubled the tally after the break and goals from Roberto Firmino and Virgil van Dijk wrapped it up late on.        

Porto had briefly reduced the arrears through Eder Militao, but having lost the first leg 2-0 at Anfield, they never seemed in a position to overturn the deficit.            

Barcelona advanced when they won 3-0 in their second-leg against Manchester United, completing a 4-0 aggregate victory.

Reuters