Match ends, FK Qarabag 0, Tottenham Hotspur 1.
FK QarabagFK Qarabag0TottenhamTottenham Hotspur1
Harry Kane scored his ninth goal in six games as Tottenham secured their spot in the Europa League last 32 with victory at Qarabag.
The England international nodded in from a yard when Son Heung-min flicked on Christian Eriksen's corner.
Spurs also went close through Son and Dele Alli, who both hit the woodwork.
Qarabag winger Dani Quintana forced a good low save from Hugo Lloris, but he had little else to do, bar a save from Afrian Ismayilov in the first half.
Spurs just need a point from their final game at home to Monaco to seal top spot in Group J.
Tottenham turn it on when needed
It might have been jetlag - having travelled 2,466 miles to Azerbaijan capital Baku - or just a case of holding back, because Tottenham's attacking quartet of Kane, Son, Alli and Eriksen looked a shadow of their recent selves in the first half.
Qarabag, who had yet to lose at home in the competition after two wins and three draws, comfortably contained the potent foursome, although they failed to capitalise on their opponents' sluggish start at the other end.
However, the second half made up for the lack of entertainment in the opening 45 minutes, with Spurs showing the kind of vim in attack that saw them crush West Ham 4-1 at the weekend.
The burgeoning talent that is Alli was Spurs' most dangerous outlet. He should have scored in the first half when he scooped over from eight yards, and then saw his first-time side-footed strike rebound off the post.
South Korea forward Son, who twice scored against Qarabag in the home fixture, also had a good second half. The 23-year-old's thunderous effort hit the bar before he provided the all-important flick for Kane's goal.
Fearless Kane finds his form
From three goals in 17 games to nine in the last six. Anybody who still held the view that Kane was a one-season wonder has surely now been won over by the England striker.
The 22-year-old is finding it harder to miss than score. There was a slight surprise he was not rested for the long trip, with the London derby against Chelsea early on Sunday, but this is a player who has started each of his club's last 41 Premier League games - the longest current run by a top-flight forward.
So with limitless energy and a rediscovered goalscoring touch, Kane could prove crucial for a Spurs side who are looking to end a seven-year spell without a trophy.
Man of the match - Dele Alli (Tottenham)
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino:
"We are very happy because with patience and maturity we got the win and qualified.
"We have to say thank you to our fans as well. To travel here and support us is fantastic and so valuable for us.
"We have a strong mentality and our fans do too so we will have a great atmosphere on Sunday for Chelsea."
Tottenham striker Harry Kane:
"It was tough credit, but credit Qarabag.
"We created some good chance in the second half. I feel fit and I wanted to come and play. I'm obviously delighted to score.
"The important thing is we've won. We can recover now and then it's the big game on Sunday against Chelsea."
What next?
Tottenham host Chelsea at midday on Sunday before they travel to West Brom. Their final Europa League game - at home to Monaco - is on 10 December.
Line-ups
FK Qarabag
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 13Sehic
- 5Medvedev
- 55Huseynov
- 14Sadiqov
- 25Agolli
- 2GarayevBooked at 88mins
- 20Almeida de OliveiraBooked at 44mins
- 22IsmayilovSubstituted forMammadovat 80'minutes
- 10Quintana Sosa
- 77TagiyevSubstituted forda Silvaat 65'minutes
- 29PoeponSubstituted forArmenterosat 54'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Valiyev
- 8Marcos Madera
- 11Mammadov
- 18Qurbanov
- 32Yunuszada
- 70da Silva
- 90Armenteros
Tottenham
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Lloris
- 16Trippier
- 4Alderweireld
- 5Vertonghen
- 33Davies
- 15Dier
- 8MasonSubstituted forCarrollat 73'minutes
- 7Son Heung-minSubstituted forN'Jieat 80'minutes
- 20Alli
- 23EriksenSubstituted forOnomahat 90+1'minutes
- 10Kane
Substitutes
- 13Vorm
- 14N'Jie
- 17Townsend
- 25Onomah
- 27Wimmer
- 28Carroll
- 29Winks
- Referee:
- Anastasios Sidiropoulos
- Attendance:
- 28,000
Match Stats
Home TeamFK QarabagAway TeamTottenham
- Possession
- Home34%
- Away66%
- Shots
- Home6
- Away24
- Shots on Target
- Home3
- Away8
- Corners
- Home3
- Away13
- Fouls
- Home5
- Away7
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, FK Qarabag 0, Tottenham Hotspur 1.
Post update
Foul by Tom Carroll (Tottenham Hotspur).
Post update
Chumbinho (FK Qarabag) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution
Substitution, Tottenham Hotspur. Josh Onomah replaces Christian Eriksen.
Booking
Gara Garayev (FK Qarabag) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Hand ball by Tom Carroll (Tottenham Hotspur).
Post update
Attempt blocked. Christian Eriksen (Tottenham Hotspur) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Post update
Clinton N'Jie (Tottenham Hotspur) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Badavi Huseynov (FK Qarabag).
Post update
Attempt missed. Christian Eriksen (Tottenham Hotspur) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Dele Alli.
Post update
Offside, FK Qarabag. Rasad F. Sadiqov tries a through ball, but Elvin Mammadov is caught offside.
Post update
Corner, FK Qarabag. Conceded by Toby Alderweireld.
Post update
Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Elvin Mammadov (FK Qarabag).
Substitution
Substitution, FK Qarabag. Elvin Mammadov replaces Afran Ismayilov.
Substitution
Substitution, Tottenham Hotspur. Clinton N'Jie replaces Son Heung-Min.
Post update
Offside, Tottenham Hotspur. Christian Eriksen tries a through ball, but Harry Kane is caught offside.
Goal!
Goal! FK Qarabag 0, Tottenham Hotspur 1. Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur) header from very close range to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Son Heung-Min following a corner.
Post update
Attempt missed. Son Heung-Min (Tottenham Hotspur) header from the left side of the six yard box misses to the right. Assisted by Christian Eriksen with a cross following a corner.
