Thursday 18 April 2019 12:09, UK
Moussa Sissoko says he did not initially realise Tottenham had reached the Champions League last four after beating Manchester City, believing the final score was 5-3 following Raheem Sterling's offside goal.
Sterling had seemingly put Manchester City into the semi-finals with a stoppage time winner, sparking euphoric celebrations at the Etihad Stadium, before a VAR review resulted in the goal being ruled out.
France international Sissoko subsequently stormed down the tunnel and was left distraught until a coaching staff member came into the dressing room and told him that the decision had been overturned.
Sissoko, who has made 40 appearances for Tottenham in all competitions this season, had previously hobbled off injured in the 41st minute and was replaced by striker Fernando Llorente.
"I was on the bench when I saw the goal that made it 5-3," Sissoko told French sports newspaper L'Equipe.
"I was so upset that I returned directly to the dressing room.
"I was alone, no one had accompanied me, no TV screen was broadcasting the game. In my head we were eliminated. Then one of the staff members entered the dressing room and told me: 'Incredible, we did it!'.
"I said: 'How did we do it?' At that moment, he told me that the goal had been disallowed.
"So I put on a t-shirt, I forgot about my injury and I ran outside to join the others, not to miss the celebrations for such a historic moment. It was an incredible, emotional shock."
Mauricio Pochettino's side pulled off a remarkable win on away goals, with the tie ending 4-4 on aggregate, thanks to goals from Son Heung-Min and Fernando Llorente as his Spurs side made it through to face Ajax in the last four of the competition.
Llorente's 73rd minute goal stood after VAR examined a possible handball in the build-up - a decison which Pep Guardiola questioned.
Tottenham visit the Etihad Stadium again on Saturday in Premier League action; you can watch the game Live from 12:30pm on Sky Sports Main Event.
