Magnificent Tottenham finally look like they belong at Europe’s top table

It is seven years to the day since Tottenham beat the European champions 3-1 in London — only this time they look the Real deal.

Harry Redknapp’s side produced one of the most memorable nights in the latter days of White Hart Lane’s existence in November 2010 by ripping Inter Milan to shreds as Gareth Bale led the charge to cries of “Taxi for Maicon!” from gleeful Spurs fans.

“Taxi for Marcelo!” seemed appropriate last night — and Kieran Trippier certainly won their personal duel — but such was Spurs’ collective superiority, it would be remiss to single out just one Real Madrid player.

Tottenham were magnificent. They defended with resilience and attacked with purpose. They were more clinical on the break than a team who have become one of the most decorated in the world through precisely that method.

Whereas Inter’s Champions League success felt like something of an anomaly, with Jose Mourinho’s departure and Rafael Benitez’s arrival at the San Siro only heightening the sense their greatness had passed, Real remain the most feared team in Europe, seeking to become the first team in 41 years to win this competition for three successive seasons.

Zinedine Zidane’s side may have appeared unusually vulnerable after an underwhelming start to La Liga — in addition to the absence of important first-teamers Keylor Navas, Raphael Varane and Bale through injury — but nine of last night’s starting line-up began May’s resounding Final win over Juventus and they were expected to assert their authority as the only true European thoroughbred on show.

Instead, Tottenham announced themselves on the biggest stage in emphatic style. Key moments went their way — Trippier was fractionally offside before supplying the cross for Dele Alli’s 27th-minute opener, while the England midfielder’s second took a chunky deflection off Real skipper Sergio Ramos — but Spurs were full value for their win.

Spurs’ third, 20 minutes into the second period, came courtesy of an incisive breakaway befitting Real at their best, with Alli and Harry Kane combining at speed to release Christian Eriksen, who finished coolly past Kiko Casilla. It would, perhaps, not be Spurs if there was an element of nervousness at the end, with Cristiano Ronaldo’s 80th-minute reply injecting a degree of anxiety in the finale, but Tottenham would not be denied.

They were hungrier, sharper and, surprisingly, much more efficient. It is a result that may heighten Real’s desire to sign one, two or all three of Mauricio Pochettino, Kane and Alli, yet also strengthen that trio’s belief they can achieve everything they want without going anywhere.

The knockout stages bring different pressures — and Real would point to the trophy cabinet as evidence they come good when their tournament life is on the line — but Spurs should no longer feel out of place at this level.

“What motivates us is to improve as a team, improve as a group to achieve our targets,” said Pochettino. “You’ve all seen today that Tottenham is a big team. We’re playing at Wembley in front of more than 80,000 people. These are really historic occasions. Now we belong not only among the best in England, but in Europe. Results like this help people see where we’re going.”

The Argentine was clear on that, too. “We need to understand that we are at a level now where we’re playing football against the best teams — and in order to get to the next level we have to start winning things. Of course, we’re very proud of this match, but it will mean nothing if at the end of the season we haven’t won a trophy.”

Paris St Germain and Manchester City look more advanced for a serious tilt at the Champions League, but Real’s defeat here suggests this year’s renewal is perhaps more open than first anticipated — and there is no reason why Spurs should not aim high.

Zidane admitted the better team won on the night, even if he followed it up with the rather dismissive follow-up: “Any team can win the Champions League — and Tottenham are certainly one of them.”

But, then again, the Frenchman is under renewed pressure. Few teams have dismantled Real, who lost by a two-goal margin for the first time in any competition since April 2016, as Spurs did here.

To qualify from a group containing Real and Borussia Dortmund after four games is remarkable. To be in a position to spare Kane the final 11 minutes and rest that tight hamstring ahead of Sunday’s visit of Crystal Palace seemed unthinkable before kick-off.

The only blot on the evening was the loss of centre-half Toby Alderweireld, who will be assessed in the coming days after being forced off with a hamstring injury of his own.

Regardless, Tottenham as a club have rarely been in better health. That 2010 victory over Inter helped instigate a run to the quarter-finals which was ended, somewhat inevitably, by a vastly superior Real side in a 5-0 aggregate defeat.

Should history repeat itself later in the season, it would not be anywhere near as clear-cut this time.