Sissoko did not realise Spurs had beaten Man City after marching down tunnel when Sterling scored… only to be told goal had been disallowed by VAR

MOUSSA SISSOKO was the last person to find out that Spurs had qualified for the semi-finals of the Champions League.

The Frenchman, 29, went off with an injury just before half time in Tottenham's thrilling 4-4 away goals aggregate quarter-final win over Man City.

Midfielder Sissoko then headed on to the bench for the second half and witnessed Fernando Llorente deflect Spurs into the semis.

That goal, after 73 minutes, put Man City 4-3 ahead on the night, but Spurs through on away goals… before a dramatic late finish.

Raheem Sterling netted his third goal of the night and sprinted away to the corner in celebration — and Sissoko had had enough, marching down the tunnel.

But then VAR intervened, because Sergio Aguero was offside when Bernardo Silva deflected the ball into his path before he squared it to Sterling.

The goal was disallowed.

PLAYERS ARE HEROES

When a member of Spurs' coaching staff found him in the dressing room, distraught Sissoko had no idea that the goal had been ruled out and his side were through.

The news certainly put a spring in his step, and he hobbled out of the dressing room and back on to the pitch to celebrate with his team-mates and the visiting fans.

Even so, the middle man is a doubt for the semi-final first leg on April 30.

Son Heung-min is suspended for the clash with Ajax at Tottenham Stadium and Harry Kane is certain to miss out as he recovers from an ankle injury.

Pochettino said after the game: "To be in the semis was a dream. Now we are there. My players are heroes.

"It is unbelievable to be in the Champions League in the quarter-final and beat Man City because in both legs it was very competitive and both legs were even.

"To score three goals here was not easy.

"In a game that is like a final, it is difficult to see Manchester City concede the goals they conceded today."

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