Cristiano Ronaldo earned a point for Real Madrid from the penalty spot as Tottenham gave Los Blancos an almighty scare in the Bernabeu.
Raphael Varane turned Serge Aurier's cross through his own net to give Spurs the lead, but the Frenchman felled Toni Kroos in the box to allow Ronaldo to secure a share of the spoils.
That was all before the break, and it was the goalkeepers that took centre stage in the second half.
Firstly Hugo Lloris denied Karim Benzema from close range with a stupendous save, before tipping Ronaldo's rasping drive over the bar.
Keylor Navas then impressed, somehow tipping Harry Kane's goalward effort around the post to keep the score level.
Here are five talking points from the Spanish capital...
1. Hugo Lloris is one of Europe’s best
Lloris was fantastic, making two world class saves and proving once again that he is one of the best keepers in the Champions League.
The Tottenham keeper made an incredible point blank save from Karim Benzema’s header and bettered that with a remarkable tip over from Cristiano Ronaldo.
Sometimes Lloris gets overlooked when the best keepers are debated. But in the Bernabeu, Lloris showed he is top class and among the elite.
2. The Bernabeu remains the ultimate test
English clubs have a pretty wretched record in arguably the greatest stadium in world football.
Incredibly, only Arsenal in 2006 and Liverpool in 2009 have emerged with a win and Tottenham’s last visit in 2011 saw Real Madrid win 4-0.
The Bernabeu has a habit of making or breaking reputations. Tottenham came away with their intact. In fact, probably enhanced after an impressive and bold performance.
3. Harry Kane proved he is a big game player
The last time Tottenham played at the Bernabeu they lost 4-0 on April 5, 2011. On the same night, Kane came on as an 85th minute substitute for Leyton Orient against Plymouth.
Less than six years later, Kane is being talked up as a “complete player” by Zinedine Zidane and a potential £150m transfer target for Real Madrid.
As fairytales go, they don’t get much more remarkable. And the story just keeps on going. Kane showed he is a big game player in the Bernabeu.
From the first minute, Kane was not overawed as he chased and closed down, pushed forward, worked hard and Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane put through his own net while under pressure from Kane. Kane really should have scored late on but forced Keylor Navas into a terrific save.
If this was an audition for a future Real Madrid target, then Kane passed with flying colours.
4. Karim Benzema is the great enigma
Benzema joined Real Madrid for £35m in 2009 and since then has won two La Liga titles, won the Copa Del Rey and Spanish Super Cup twice each, three Champions Leagues, three European Super Cups and two Club World Cups.
It’s not bad for a striker who, each and every summer, is seemingly written off because Real Madrid have got their sights set on a new striker. The latest, of course, being Harry Kane.
And at times you can see why. Benzema missed two big first half chances and was denied by a brilliant point blank save from Hugo Lloris.
But Benzema then played a lovely through ball for Toni Kroos who was pulled down for a penalty. Every time he gets knocked down, he gets up again.
Last month, Benzema signed a new contract until 2021 and do not expect the 29-year-old to relinquish his status as Real Madrid’s No9 any time soon.
5. Cristiano Ronaldo is unstoppable
Ronaldo has now scored 95 goals in 132 Champions League appearances. Way better than a one in two ratio in European football’s toughest competition.
When Ronaldo strode up to take the penalty, you always felt he would score. His confidence borders on arrogance but you cannot begrudge him that.
Ronaldo is a very different player to five years ago but still just as important to Real Madrid now as he was back then.