Tottenham 3 Real Madrid 1: Mauricio Pochettino hails 'fantastic' Dele Alli as Spurs rout Champions League holders

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Jack Rosser @JackRosser_2 November 2017

Spurs booked their place in the knockout rounds of the Champions League with a shock win over the holders at Wembley Stadium and, after a slow start to the season having missed all European action due to suspension, Alli arrived in some style on Wednesday night.

After fortune fell on Alli's side for the opening goal - with replays showing Kieran Trippier was offside before sliding his cross to the playmaker - his show in taking on Casimero for his second, before holding of Luka Modric to start the break for Christian Eriksen's goal rounded a landmark performance.

Speaking after the game, Pochettino highlighted Alli's importance in bringing home silverware for Spurs.

"Yes I think [it was a] great opportunity for him to show his quality," he told reporters. "Fantastic opportunity against Real Madrid at Wembley.

"His debut [this season] was tonight in this competition. I think it was a big motivation for him to play and then he scored twice, but nearly [scored] a hat-trick in the second half.

"[It is] fantastic to feel like I told you yesterday that [his form] is coming and start to feel that he is getting better and better every day, and of course we need him to be at his best and try to achieve the things that we want to achieve."