Inter Milan Defeat Tottenham on Penalties in 2019 International Champions Cup

Tottenham ended their preseason campaign in disappointing fashion after slipping to defeat against Inter Milan after losing a penalty shootout 4-3 in the 2019 International Champions Cup on Sunday.  

Joao Mario scored the crucial spot-kick after Inter goalkeeper Samir Handanovic had saved from Christian Eriksen and Oliver Skipp.

The game had finished 1-1 after 90 minutes, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in north London, with Stefano Sensi equalising for the Nerazzurri in the first half after Lucas Moura had given the Lilywhites a third-minute lead.

Spurs needed just three minutes to turn on the style in front of home faithful. Things clicked into gear in the final third when Erik Lamela set Moura free and he wriggled into some shooting space before making no mistake.

It's been an impressive preseason for Lamela, who has showcased the vision and technique seen too seldom throughout his Tottenham career. If the Argentinian can finally put it all together, he can become the creative hub Spurs need while doubts persist about the future of playmaker Eriksen, who is attracting interest from Manchester United, according to Miguel Delaney of The Independent.

Yet for all Lamela's fine work, Spurs were generally struggling for the upper hand in the midfield battle. In particular, club-record signing Tanguy Ndombele was looking rather timid:

The warning signs were there for Tottenham when Inter midfield workhorse Marcelo Brozovic struck the post from distance. It proved a precursor for the equaliser that came in the 36th minute after Sensi was played in by Borja Valero.

Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino opted to change his attacking formula as a way to keep Inter on the back foot after the break. He brought Eriksen and Heung-Min Son off the bench for Harry Winks and Harry Kane to prompt a change of shape:

It took a while for the changes to make an impact, and the visitors were going closer in the later stages, with Nicolo Barella testing substitute goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga. At the other end, Son broke free but couldn't get the better of Handanovic in the Inter goal.

There were no more notable chances, sending the tie to penalties, where Eriksen began the shootout by seeing his weak effort rebuffed. Gazzaniga then saved from George Puscas before Son made no mistake to finally put Spurs in front.

Andrea Ranocchia equalised from 12 yards before Georges-Kevin Nkoudou chipped a cheeky panenka-style penalty.

Federico Dimarco, Toby Alderweireld and Matteo Plitano all converted to bring things level at 3-3. Then Handanovic saved brilliantly from Skipp to position Mario to win it for Inter.

What's Next?

Tottenham begin the 2019/20 Premier League season by hosting newly promoted Aston Villa on Saturday. Meanwhile, Inter continue their preseason work with a trip to Valencia on the same day.