A stunning Mauro Icardi volley sparked a thrilling late Inter Milan comeback as the Italian side beat Tottenham 2-1 on their return to the Champions League after a seven-year absence on Tuesday. Christian Eriksen's deflected strike gave Spurs a 53rd-minute lead at the San Siro, and the visitors looked comfortable for much of the second half. But Argentinian striker Icardi hammered home a magnificent volley in the 86th minute to draw Inter level, and Matias Vecino took advantage of some slack Tottenham defending at a corner to nod in a dramatic injury-time winner.

"It was a spectacular evening, we did what we needed to do," said Icardi after his first goal of the season on his Champions League debut. Inter Milan -- who last won the trophy in 2010 under Jose Mourinho -- were returning to Europe's elite event for the first time since 2011-12, with Tottenham eliminated last season in the knockout rounds by Juventus. "This is exactly what the fans want to see," said Inter coach Luciano Spalletti.