Harry Kane scored twice as Tottenham beat Borussia Dortmund to get their Champions League campaign off to a positive start and end their winless run at Wembley.
Kane’s instinct in front of goal was the difference as Spurs were largely forced on the back foot by an impressive German side who dominated territory and possession.
His first goal – a rising angled finish following a determined run down the left – capped a frantic opening 15 minutes in which Son Heung-min’s opener from an angle was cancelled out by a superb curling finish from Dortmund’s Andriy Yarmolenko.
The England forward’s second was a low finish inside the far post on the hour mark to give his side the edge they needed as they overcame the threat of their dangerous and relentless opponent.
However, the home side ended the game with 10 men as defender Jan Vertonghen was shown a second yellow card for catching Dortmund substitute Mario Gotze with a swinging arm.
The visitors can point an accusing finger at the officials, who ruled out a perfectly good goal from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for offside.
This is just the second win of Tottenham’s tenancy at Wembley, which includes all of last season’s home Champions League group stage games and two Premier League matches this campaign.
It leaves them second in Group H behind Real Madrid, who beat Apoel Nicosia 3-0 in Spain.
Before Wednesday’s game, Kane spoke of his desire to break into the “world-class bracket” by adding goals in European competition to his impressive domestic haul.
The 24-year-old has scored more than 20 goals in each of the past three Premier League campaigns and opened his account for this season with his 100th and 101st Tottenham goals in Saturday’s 3-0 win at Everton.
Both of his goals against Dortmund were world class; showcasing not only his ruthless ability to finish chances but also his determination and ability to fashion opportunities for himself.
Kane also illustrated the creative aspect of his game, setting up Son for what should have been the second goal of this industrious display as deputy to the suspended Dele Alli.
And Kane should have had a hat-trick but dragged another shot wide of the far post following a headed pass from the busy Christian Eriksen.
He was withdrawn to a standing ovation, allowing Fernando Llorente his Spurs debut and taking with him a record that now reads 28 goals in his past 22 games for club and country.
