Afternoon all and welcome to
Sports Mole's live text coverage of the International Champions Cup fixture between Tottenham Hotspur and
Inter Milan. The clash will bring to an end Tottenham's preparations for the 2019-20 campaign as they prepare to host Aston Villa in their Premier League opener on August 10. Stay tuned for live minute-by-minute updates!
TEAMS!
SPURS: Lloris; Walker-Peters, Sanchez, Vertonghen, Rose; Winks, Sissoko, Ndombele; Lamela, Kane, Lucas
INTER: Handanovic; D'Ambrosio, De Vrij, Skriniar, Candreva; Gagliardini, Brozovic, Sensi; Dalbert, Esposito, Perisic
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has made two changes from the team that started against Bayern Munich in Audi Cup final with Tanguy Ndombele and Harry Kane coming in for Dele Alli and Georges-Kevin Nkoudou. Alli misses out with a hamstring problem while Juan Foyth is unavailable due to an ankle injury. Toby Aldweireld is again on the bench with Davinson Sanchez named in the XI.
As for Inter, Antonio Conte has shuffled his pack from the 1-1 draw with Paris Saint-Germain towards the end of last month. Inter have played 3-5-2 this summer but it appears that the team will line up in a 4-3-3 here, with Antonio Candreva selected at left-back. That said, it could easily be a 3-5-2 with Danilo D'Ambrosio joining Milan Skriniar and Stefan de Vrj in central defence. We will soon see!
These two teams have met on six occasions over the last nine seasons in Europe, with both boasting three wins. The pair actually locked horns during the group stages of last season's Champions League - Inter winning 2-1 on home soil back in September before Spurs recorded a 1-0 victory in the reverse game. Right, the handshakes have just taken place here - kickoff is imminent.
It must be said that the Tottenham fans have turned out in their numbers this afternoon, which is excellent to see for a pre-season contest. Let's hope for an open and entertaining game here.
KICKOFF: Tottenham kick things off on home soil...
... Inter are indeed in a 3-5-2 with D'Ambrosio dropping from wing-back to central defence, and Candreva and Dalbert in the wide areas. Tottenham, as expected, are in a 4-1-2-1-2 on home soil.
Tottenham have taken control of the early possession, with Rose and Walker-Peters making the pitch extremely wide. There will not be too much width from the Spurs midfield, and therefore it will be up to the two full-backs to stretch Inter, who have not conceded too many goals during pre-season.
GOAL! TOTTENHAM 1-0 INTER (LUCAS MOURA)
GOAL! Oh wow! Terrific opening goal here as Lucas Moura drives into the Inter box before slamming one past Handanovic at his near post. It was a fast Spurs break, and it ended with the first goal.
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Tottenham have looked strong during pre-season, picking up some excellent results. It will certainly be interesting to see how Pochettino's side start against Aston Villa next week.
Just a reminder that there has to be a winner in this game, therefore a penalty shootout will arrive if the two teams are level at the end of the 90 minutes. Spurs are in control at the moment.
Having watched Inter a few times during pre-season, it really is apparent how much Conte's team are crying out for a new striker. Romelu Lukaku is wanted but it remains to be seen whether the Italians can get a deal for the centre-forward over the line. They are very, very short up front.
Possession football from Spurs at the moment. To be honest, Inter have not really had a sniff in the first 11 minutes - no chances, no shots, nothing much happening for Conte's side here.
Not too much to report in the last few minutes - Inter are having more of the ball but are struggling to make things happen in the final third. Lucas's goal remains the difference here.
SAVE! Much better from Inter as Perisic takes the ball away from Sanchez before delivering a cross onto the head of Dalbert, but Hugo Lloris is on hand to make a comfortable save.
Inter are certainly having more of the ball at the moment, with their five-man midfield starting to get to grips with the contest. Spurs, meanwhile, have just dropped their tempo a touch here.
Inter are certainly having more of the ball at the moment, with their five-man midfield starting to get to grips with the contest. Spurs, meanwhile, have just dropped their tempo a touch here.
SHOT! Perisic has a half-chance for Inter after working some space in a dangerous position but the attacker's effort was always moving wide of the post. Tottenham are under pressure here.
Tottenham have a free kick in a dangerous area as Brozovic fouls Rose...
SHOT! ... Kane's free kick sails over the Inter crossbar. Not the Englishman's best effort.
This is certainly a competitive match in terms of challenges, with neither team pulling out of 50/50 tackles. No yellow cards thus far although the referee might well have to dish one out soon.
Tottenham's start to the new Premier League campaign is tough,considering that they will host a vibrant Villa on the opening weekend before travelling to champions Manchester City on August 17. It is absolutely vital that Pochettino's side make a positive start to the 2019-20 season.
It will be interesting to see what kind of changes occur at the interval - it would be a surprise to see Pochettino make wholesale substitutions this close to the new campaign. Let's wait and see.
Inter continue to offer a decent threat with a couple of free kicks into the Tottenham box causing some problems. That said, Lloris has not had a serious save to make in the first 28 minutes.
OFF THE POST! Oh my word! Stunning from Brozovic as the midfielder works some space outside the box before striking towards goal, but his effort comes off the post. Would have been some goal.
YELLOW CARD! Candeva (Inter) is booked for a foul on Kane.
Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining and Lucas's goal is still the difference. Inter might feel that they have done enough to be level, though, having had some good efforts.
Tottenham are finding space in the area between Inter's midfield defence, but the capital outfit are just struggling to force that final pass. Inter's three-man unit at the back is defending well.
Will Spurs have Ryan Sessegnon in their ranks before the end of next week? The young Englishman continues to be linked with a move, but it remains to be seen whether Pochettino's side can get a deal over the line. And what about Sporting Lisbon's Bruno Fernandes? Time will tell.
Little under 10 minutes of the first period remaining and the pace has definitely dropped on what is a humid late afternoon in the English capital. Not ideal conditions for a game of football.
GOAL! TOTTENHAM 1-1 INTER (SENSI)
GOAL! Inter level the scores in the 36th minute as Sensi breaks free inside the Tottenham box before finding the back of the net with a cool finish. Excellent stuff from the Italian giants there.
Sebastiano Esposito, who is just 17, provided the assist for Inter's leveller and it was a fine flick into the path of Sensi. To be honest, Inter are worth a leveller at this stage of the match.
Tottenham continue to drive forward from the back, finding space in the middle third, but Inter are dealing with everything in the really dangerous areas. Still 1-1 with 40 minutes on the clock.
Ndombele breaks into a dangerous position inside the away side's box, only for a crowd of Inter players to halt his progress. The attack breaks down without Handanovic having to make a save.
Not an awful lot to report in the last couple of minutes with both teams seemingly waiting for the half-time break. We have had two excellent goals in the first period, but it would be fair to say that the game has drifted for long spells. As it stands, this game is heading for penalties.
Just one additional minute has been signalled at the end of the first period.
HALF TIME: TOTTENHAM 1-1 INTER
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So there we have it - the referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 1-1 in this International Champions Cup fixture. As it stands, we are heading for a penalty shootout.
Lucas Moura sent Tottenham ahead in the third minute with a brilliant strike, but Inter levelled the scores late in the first period when Stefano Sensi sent a low effort past Hugo Lloris.
STATISTICS! Tottenham had 57% of the ball in the first period, but Lucas Moura's goal proved to be their only attempt on target. No yellow cards to report for Mauricio Pochettino's side thus far.
Inter, though, picked up a first-half booking through Antonio Candreva. In terms of attempts, the Italians managed five shots in the opening 45 minutes, with two of those on target.
BENCH WATCH! Inter have the likes of Barella, Valero, Longo and Mario on their bench this afternoon, and it would not be a surprise to see Conte make some changes at the interval here.
As for Tottenham, Pochettino could decide to hand more minutes to Alderweireld, Eriksen and Parrott ahead of next weekend's Premier League opener against free-spending Aston Villa.
Elsewhere, the Community Shield is, of course, currently taking place. Manchester City lead Liverpool 1-0 at the interval courtesy of a close-range finish from Raheem Sterling. We have live minute-by-minute updates from that game
right here, with the second period just about to start.
TOTTENHAM SUBS! Alderweireld and Eriksen will replace Sissoko and Vertonghen for the second period. Inter also look to be making two changes, which I will confirm as soon as possible.
KICKOFF: Inter resume the second half here...
INTER SUBS! Inter have indeed also made two changes with Barella and Politano entering the field for Gagliardini and Esposito, who impressed in the first 45 minutes of action.
It has been a fairly low-key start to the second period, although Inter have made some good ground down the left on a couple of occasions. It should be a very interesting second half here.
Just a reminder that Tottenham will begin their Premier League campaign next weekend, but Inter are not in Serie A action until the latter stages of the month - long summer break for them.
Kane runs away from the Inter defence before looking to slide a pass into Lucas, but De Vrij is across to make a smart clearance. Still no real chances in the second half of action here.
No chances to report since the break here, but Inter are having a lot of joy down the left, particularly through Perisic, who has impressed at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium today.
Little over 30 minutes of the second period remaining, and no real signs of anything happening at the moment. Just a reminder that there will be penalties if this finishes 1-1, which has happened in each of Inter's last three pre-season games. Still plenty of time for either side to score a winner, though.
Possession football from Inter in the last few minutes as they look to work some space. Tottenham have been disappointing since the interval, well since the early stages of the game.
Inter have been really, really good with the ball this afternoon. The Italians have not always picked the right pass in the final third, but Conte's side have shown a lot of quality in possession.
Lamela has a shot blocked outside the Inter box following a mistake from Handanovic. Just a few signs that Tottenham are starting to get to grips with the second half here.
It will be interesting to see whether both managers make a couple more changes over the next five minutes or so. Son surely has a chance of coming off the home side's bench here.
TOTTENHAM SUBS! Tottenham indeed make three changes as Gazzaniga, Son and Skipp replace Lloris, Kane and Winks. Must have heard me talking about it!
Just a reminder that there will be penalties unless either side can find a winner. It is difficult to say that either of these two teams are really pushing for a second goal at the moment.
Just the two changes for Inter thus far with Barella and Politano entering the field. Conte will surely be considering more alterations as the match heads for its final 20 minutes here.
You do get the feeling that there is another big chance or two left in this game, particularly with the changes that have happened. Son looks very lively in the final third for Tottenham.
YELLOW CARD! Politano (Inter) is booked for holding Ndombele's shirt.
Son breaks into the Inter box once again, but it is smart defending from Skriniar, who has been solid again this afternoon. It is not difficult to see why he is rated as one of the best centre-backs in the world. Little over 15 minutes of the second period remaining at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
It is not too difficult to see why Inter want to sign Lukaku this summer - the Belgium international would have a lot of chances in this team due to their excellent use of the football.
INTER SUBS! Inter make three more changes as Pirola, Puscas and Dimarco enter the field for Skriniar, Perisic and Dalbert.
Smart defending from Sanchez as the Tottenham centre-back clears a low cross from Sensi, who has been very bright in this game. Still 1-1 with little over 10 minutes remaining in London.
SAVE! Decent save from the Tottenham goalkeeper to keep out a strike from Brozovic.
Sanchez again makes a good interception to clear a cross from Candreva as Inter threaten in the wide positions. Nothing much happening for Tottenham in the final third at the moment.
SAVE! Brilliant save from Handanovic to keep out a powerful strike from Son, who had driven into the Inter box before attempting to pick out the corner. Excellent goalkeeping there!
About 100 Tottenham players are lined up to come onto the field. Only six really, but it is far from ideal as they all flood on in quick succession. I shall announce who when it becomes possible.
TOTTENHAM SUB! Georgiou, Marsh, White and Tanganga all come onto the field, along with another two, with Lucas and Rose two of those heading off. Full confirmation soon!
TOTTENHAM SUBS! Tanganga, White, Marsh, Georgiou, Nkoudou and Parrott come on for Sanchez, Rose, Walker-Peters, Lamela, Ndombele and Lucas. All sorted then!
INTER SUBS! Four more changes for Inter as Mario, Agoume, Ranocchia and Valero enter the field in place of De Vrij, Candreva, Sensi and Brozovic.
This game has not really had the chance to produce a third goal due to the amount of changes that have occurred in the last few minutes. Looks to be heading for penalties once again.
Nothing much is happening to be brutally honest - it has not been a classic. The first half was decent in spells but the second period has lacked quality all over the park here.
Neither side can keep the ball for love nor money. Both are attempting to run it out from the back before losing it, which can be repeated down the other end. Strange game, still 1-1.
Tottenham are the team on the front foot at the moment, but no sign of a second goal for the home team. We are moments away from a penalty shootout to decide this contest.
END OF 90 MINUTES: TOTTENHAM 1-1 INTER
Nothing doing at the end of 90 minutes, meaning that we require a penalty shootout to decide this International Champions Cup fixture. Back in a moment for the spot kicks here!
Lucas made the breakthrough in the early stages of the contest before Sensi struck late in the first period. To be honest, the second half of this game was a non-event for long spells.
Here we go then - penalties to decide this International Champions Cup fixture.
MISS! Eriksen misses his attempt to hand Inter an early advantage!
MISS! Excellent save from Gazzaniga to keep out Puscas's attempt!
GOAL! Tottenham take the lead as Son finds the top corner!
GOAL! Ranocchia scores for Inter to level this shootout.
GOAL! N'koudou converts for Tottenham as Pochettino's side lead again.
GOAL! All square once again as Dimarco scores for the Italians.
GOAL! Alderweireld nets for Tottenham, who lead once again.
GOAL! No mistake from Politano to level the scores!
MISS! Skipp misses for Tottenham - huge moment!
GOAL! Mario scores for Inter to win it for the Italian side!
FULL TIME: TOTTENHAM 1-1 INTER (INTER WIN 4-3 ON PENALTIES)
So there we have it. Inter beat Tottenham on penalties after a 1-1 draw in this International Champions Cup fixture. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live coverage once again. Next weekend is a huge one as our live Premier League coverage gets underway!