Winksy: "I said to Coco 'one more chance and we've got it'"

Proud but crestfallen, Harry Winks epitomised the team’s spirit as we pushed a Lionel Messi-inspired Barcelona all the way in the Champions League.

As the phrase goes, ‘Winksy’ ‘left it all on the pitch’ as we tried ultimately in vain to come back from the blow of an early goal and going 2-0 and then 3-1 down against the La Liga champions at Wembley.

Harry Kane started the revival at 2-1 and when Erik Lamela made it 3-2, there was real belief we could haul it back for a point. Lucas Moura had a late chance deflected wide but then the hammer blow as Messi bagged his second for 4-2 in the final minute.

“We gave everything, especially in the second half,” said Harry, who once again impressed on the Champions League stage.

“We started with doing the simple things, battling, fighting, showing heart, we created chances and scored twice. On any other day, it could have gone either way and we could have come away with the three points.

“At one point I said to Coco (Erik Lamela) 'one more chance here and we’ve got it' and then at 3-3, it would be anyone’s game. But then they get that opportunity to score and it’s so late, it kills you...a real kick in the teeth.

"It’s something we have to learn from and hopefully we’ll go into the next couple of games, take that experience and win.”

The players were left to rue Barca’s early goal and finding themselves 2-0 down. “Against a team like Barcelona you can’t afford to do that, they’ve too many top players and when you concede so early, it’s always difficult.

“The manager will give his reflections but the boys in there, we’re proud of each other, proud of the way we fought and it’s just a shame we didn’t do that in the first half.

“Ultimately, it’s a results business and to not win, it’s tough to take. We’re proud of the way we performed in the second half, the way we fought and showed character but all that’s taken away when you don’t win.”