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'Tactical genius': Quick-thinking ball boy sets internet alight

A Tottenham ball boy has become an internet sensation after a stroke of genius in the Champions League.

Things began horribly for the north London side against Olympiacos, in what was new manager Jose Mourinho's first European match in charge of Spurs.

The Greek visitors calm flying out of the blocks, taking a 2-0 lead inside 20 minutes to leave the home faithful stunned.

Spurs did manage to pull a goal back in first half stoppage time through Dele Alli, before the ball boy stole the show after the break.

Five minutes into the second half, Tottenham won a throw-in just inside Olympiacos' half but the ball was rolling away towards the stands, preventing a fast restart for the desperate hosts.

However, the quick-thinking ball boy showed superb alertness by sizing up the situation and dishing up a perfect pass so Spurs could take a quick throw-in.

A ball boy for Tottenham stole the show in Spurs' Champions League win over Olympiacos.
Tottenham had their ball boy to thank for his huge contribution towards their second goal. Pic: Optus Sport/Getty

It caught the Greek defence napping and allowed Lucas Moura to steal in behind their lines, before teeing up Harry Kane for an equalising goal that proved pivotal.

The awesome moment saw the ball boy become an instant sensation on social media, with Mourinho even seeking him out for a hug for good measure.

Kane's goal from the ball boy's stroke of genius, kicked-started a brilliant second half comeback from the hosts that culminated in a 4-2 victory.

Serge Aurier fired Spurs ahead in the 73rd minute, with Kane's second goal moments later putting the icing on the cake and sealing Tottenham's place in the knockout stages.

It was a huge boost for manager Jose Mourinho, who was appointed only last week to replace sacked manager Mauricio Pochettino.

Big guns join Spurs in knockout stages

Spurs are joined in the knockout stages by 13-time European champions Real Madrid, who drew 2-2 with Paris Saint-Germain but had already secured their place after Galatasaray and Club Brugge drew 1-1 in Group A.

PSG had to come from behind after Karim Benzema gave Madrid the lead with a goal in each half at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, but Kylian Mbappe and Pablo Sarabia scored in the 81st and 83rd minutes to seal the draw.

Gareth Bale nearly gave Madrid the win with a free kick that hit the post in injury time.

PSG, who started the match without Neymar and Edinson Cavani, needed only a point to clinch first place.

Manchester City qualified after drawing 1-1 with Shakhtar Donetsk in their Group C match at the Etihad Stadium.

Ilkay Gundogan's second-half strike was cancelled out by Manor Solomon as City failed to spark, but with Dinamo Zagreb losing 2-0 to Atalanta the result was enough to secure top spot in the group.

In other matches, Robert Lewandowski scored four goals in just over 14 minutes as Bayern Munich thrashed Milos Degenek's Red Star Belgrade 6-0 to top Group B at Red Star Belgrade.

In Turin, Paulo Dybala's direct free-kick from a tight angle gave Juventus a 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid to secure top spot in Group D and keep Bayer Leverkusen's hopes of progressing alive.

Leverkusen, who now have a home match against Juventus, won 2-0 win at Lokomotiv Moscow thanks to an own goal from Rifat Zhemaletdinov and a Sven Bender volley.

With AAP