Tottenham’s hopes of qualifying for the Europa Conference League are in jeopardy after a dismal 2-1 loss to Mura on Thursday.
Spurs were beaten for the first time under Antonio Conte as Amadej Marosa scored a thrilling stoppage-time winner.
Prior to Marosa’s heroics, the Group G match seemed destined for a draw, with Harry Kane canceling out Tomi Horvat’s first-half strike at Fazanerija.
The visitors, who were without a player for almost an hour in Slovenia after Ryan Sessegnon was sent out for two bookable offences, will now have to overcome Rennes in two weeks to claim second place.
Mura gained the lead in the 11th minute, becoming one of just three teams to score a point in the competition’s debut edition.
Horvat cut into the penalty area after collecting the ball on the right side and bending a fantastic shot.
Tottenham’s task became harder as they were reduced to 10 men just after the half-hour mark – Sessegnon shown a second yellow card for a rash challenge on Ziga Kous.
Kane shot just wide on the turn, while Nik Lorbek was inches away from doubling the hosts’ lead at the other end as both sides went close before the break.
Conte introduced Heung-Min Son after the restart and the South Korea international drew a smart save out of Matko Obradovic following a brilliant individual run.
But Spurs were not to be denied in the 72nd minute, with Kane latching onto Lucas Moura’s neat throughball before delicately lifting it over the advancing Obradovic.
Nevertheless, there was to be one final twist in the fourth minute of stoppage time. Mura launched a devastating counter that culminated in Marosa’s strike deflecting home off Davinson Sanchez from the final kick of the game.
What does it mean? A wasted opportunity for Tottenham
Spurs’ hopes of progressing to the knockout stages will go right to the wire in Group G after this horror defeat to the competition’s lowest-ranked side.
Level on points with Vitesse and four behind leaders Rennes, Conte’s men can no longer finish top and will now likely have to beat the latter in two weeks’ time to snatch second.
Meanwhile, Mura claim their first points in this season’s competition on a day they will remember for a long time.
Marosa makes his mark
Introduced as a 62nd-minute substitute, Marosa made a match-winning contribution for Mura.
The forward demonstrated tremendous pace and composure as he raced away on the counter, before beating Gollini with his deflected strike. He also successfully completed two dribbles, with none of his team-mates managing more.
Silly from Sessegnon
Sessegnon lasted just 31 minutes at Fazanerija as he was dismissed for two rash challenges; the second of which was noticeably irresponsible given the tightrope he was walking.
That gave the 21-year-old the first red card of his professional career. The former Fulham defender had struggled to make an impact by the time of his expulsion, mustering just 16 touches and winning only one of his five duels.
What’s next?
Tottenham welcome Rennes in two weeks’ time, with only a victory likely to be enough for Conte’s side. Meanwhile, Mura can have a say on how things pan out as they head to Vitesse, who must better Spurs’ result to qualify for the knockout stages.
