Fernando Llorente says scoring decisive goal against Manchester City 'one of the best moments in my career'

Tottenham striker's 73rd-minute goal, which was allowed to stand after a VAR review to check for a possible handball, made it 4-4 on aggregate and allowed Tottenham to advance on away goals despite a 4-3 defeat

Tottenham Hotspur striker Fernando Llorente celebrates at the final whistle after his goal proved decisive against Manchester City. City won the match at the Etihad 4-3 but Tottenham advanced to the Champions League semi-finals on away goals after the tie finished 4-4 on aggregate. AFP

Manchester City's Raheem Sterling scores their first goal. Reuters

Manchester City's Ederson reacts after conceding a goal scored by Tottenham's Son Heung-min. Reuters

Tottenham Hotspur's South Korean striker Son Heung-min celebrates after scoring to make it 2-1 against Manchester City. AFP

Tottenham Hotspur's South Korean striker Son Heung-min celebrates after scoring to make it 2-1 against Manchester City. AFP

Manchester City''s Raheem Sterling scores to make it 2-2. Reuters

Manchester City's Sergio Aguero celebrates scoring City's fourth goal with Bernardo Silva, who earlier had made it 3-1 to City on the night. Reuters

Tottenham's Fernando Llorente scores their third goal. Reuters

Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakir calls for a VAR decision on Tottenham Hotspur striker Fernando Lorente's goal. The goal was allowed to stand. AFP

Manchester City's Raheem Sterling celebrates a goal that is later disallowed by VAR for an earlier offside. Reuters

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola reacts after Raheem Sterling's goal is ruled out for offside. Reuters

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino after the match. Reuters

Tottenham Hotspur striker Fernando Llorente said scoring the decisive goal against Manchester City that sealed the London side's progress to the Champions League semi-finals on Wednesday was "one of the best moments" of his career.

Llorente's 73rd-minute goal, which was allowed to stand after a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review to check for a possible handball, made it 4-4 on aggregate and allowed Tottenham to advance on away goals despite a 4-3 defeat.

"What a night, unbelievable. It's one of the best moments in my career," the Spanish striker told Tottenham's website.

"I've lived unbelievable moments like winning the World Cup, winning the European Championship, winning the Europa League [with Sevilla] and winning the league in Italy [with Juventus] but this one is history."

The result ensured Tottenham reached the Champions League last four for the first time where they will face Ajax. They made the European Cup semi-finals in 1962.

"To do this with an unbelievable team like Tottenham and be for the first time in the semi-finals of the Champions League with these teammates is crazy," Llorente added. "I believe in them and I think we can make history."

City manager Pep Guardiola backed the use of VAR but questioned the decision to award Llorente the goal, which officials concluded had rolled off the Spaniard's hip and into the net.

However, City defender Benjamin Mendy said they could not complain about the decision.

"We cannot complain about the VAR. Those are the rules and we have to respect them," Mendy told City's website. "We don't have time to think about this because we play Tottenham again on Saturday."

City, second in the Premier League standings, will play Tottenham for the third time in 12 days when they host Mauricio Pochettino's side this weekend.