The England forward bagged his ninth goal in six matches as a strong Spurs side continued their fine form with victory in Azerbaijan
Harry Kane's late header ensured Tottenham a place in the knockout stages of the Europa League with a group game remaining as the England forward earned his a side a valuable 1-0 win over Qarabag. Following a 4,000-mile trip, Mauricio Pochettino named a strong side for the penultimate Group J fixture on Thursday, despite Sunday's impending Premier League clash with Chelsea, and was rewarded when Kane netted the winner and ensured Spurs a top-two berth.
With the likes of Dele Alli and Son Heung-min hitting the woodwork against a stubborn Qarabag side, Pochettino's men looked set to endure a frustrating night in Baku.
The hosts - whose qualification hopes now look very slim - were largely content to frustrate their Premier League opponents but were beaten courtesy of in-form Kane's goalscoring instinct.
The striker nodded in Son's flick-on from a corner 12 minutes from time to send Spurs into the knockout stage and into the weekend's London derby off the back of a win.
Qarabag need to beat second-placed Anderlecht for a second time in Group J to stand a chance of progressing to the last 32 alongside Spurs, who need a point in their final game at home to Monaco to secure top spot.
The hosts began brightly - keeping the ball well albeit without threatening too often - while Ryan Mason tested Ibrahim Sehic inside the opening five minutes.
Mason, whose introduction at the base of Spurs' midfield allowed Alli a more advanced role, shot over soon after as Spurs found their feet.
Alli spurned a great chance to open the scoring when he turned Kieran Trippier's cross over the crossbar from inside the area while Qarabag saw Maksim Medvedev fire over before Afran Ismayilov forced Hugo Lloris into a first save shortly before the half-hour mark.
Qarabag offered a reminder of their threat on the stroke of half-time - the home side breaking at pace only for Dani Quintana's scuffed effort to be palmed away by Lloris.
Spurs were on the front foot early in the second period but found Qarabag's back line difficult to break down as the hosts offered another reminder of their threat when Richard Almeida shot wide from distance.
Alli failed to connect with an effort from inside the area while Christian Eriksen flashed a shot across goal prior to Son's effort being tipped onto the bar just after the hour mark by an impressive Sehic save.
The Qarabag goalkeeper was called on again to tip Eric Dier's effort round the post as Spurs continued to produce the better chances. And, after Alli turned Toby Alderweireld's delivery onto the post, Pochettino's men were rewarded for their endeavour through Kane's winner.
The England international took his tally to nine goals in his last six club games when he got the final touch from close range after Son connected with Eriksen's corner, extending Spurs' European campaign into the new year as a result.
Harry Kane scored his ninth goal in six games as Tottenham secured their spot in the Europa League last 32 with victory at Qarabag.
The England international nodded in from a yard when Son Heung-min flicked on Christian Eriksen's corner.
Spurs also went close through Son and Dele Alli, who both hit the woodwork.
Qarabag winger Dani Quintana forced a good low save from Hugo Lloris, but he had little else to do, bar a save from Afrian Ismayilov in the first half.
Spurs just need a point from their final game at home to Monaco to seal top spot in Group J.
Tottenham turn it on when needed
It might have been jetlag - having travelled 2,466 miles to Azerbaijan capital Baku - or just a case of holding back, because Tottenham's attacking quartet of Kane, Son, Alli and Eriksen looked a shadow of their recent selves in the first half.
Qarabag, who had yet to lose at home in the competition after two wins and three draws, comfortably contained the potent foursome, although they failed to capitalise on their opponents' sluggish start at the other end.
However, the second half made up for the lack of entertainment in the opening 45 minutes, with Spurs showing the kind of vim in attack that saw them crush West Ham 4-1 at the weekend.
The burgeoning talent that is Alli was Spurs' most dangerous outlet. He should have scored in the first half when he scooped over from eight yards, and then saw his first-time side-footed strike rebound off the post.
South Korea forward Son, who twice scored against Qarabag in the home fixture, also had a good second half. The 23-year-old's thunderous effort hit the bar before he provided the all-important flick for Kane's goal.
Fearless Kane finds his form
From three goals in 17 games to nine in the last six. Anybody who still held the view that Kane was a one-season wonder has surely now been won over by the England striker.
The 22-year-old is finding it harder to miss than score. There was a slight surprise he was not rested for the long trip, with the London derby against Chelsea early on Sunday, but this is a player who has started each of his club's last 41 Premier League games - the longest current run by a top-flight forward.
So with limitless energy and a rediscovered goalscoring touch, Kane could prove crucial for a Spurs side who are looking to end a seven-year spell without a trophy.
Man of the match - Dele Alli (Tottenham)
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino:
"We are very happy because with patience and maturity we got the win and qualified.
"We have to say thank you to our fans as well. To travel here and support us is fantastic and so valuable for us.
"We have a strong mentality and our fans do too so we will have a great atmosphere on Sunday for Chelsea."
What next?
Tottenham host Chelsea at midday on Sunday before they travel to West Brom. Their final Europa League game - at home to Monaco - is on 10 December.
LINEUP, BOOKINGS (2) & SUBSTITUTIONS (6)
FK Qarabag
- 13 Sehic
- 05 Medvedev
- 55 Huseynov
- 14 Sadiqov
- 25 Agolli
- 02 Garayev Booked
- 20 Almeida de Oliveira Booked
- 22 Ismayilov (Mammadov - 80' )
- 10 Quintana Sosa
- 77 Tagiyev (da Silva - 65' )
- 29 Poepon (Armenteros - 54' )
Substitutes
- 01 Valiyev
- 08 Marcos Madera
- 11 Mammadov
- 18 Qurbanov
- 32 Yunuszada
- 70 da Silva
- 90 Armenteros
Tottenham Hotspur
- 01 Lloris
- 16 Trippier
- 04 Alderweireld
- 05 Vertonghen
- 33 Davies
- 15 Dier
- 08 Mason (Carroll - 73' )
- 07 Son Heung-min (N'Jie - 80' )
- 20 Alli
- 23 Eriksen (Onomah - 91' )
- 10 Kane
Substitutes
- 13 Vorm
- 14 N'Jie
- 17 Townsend
- 25 Onomah
- 27 Wimmer
- 28 Carroll
- 29 Winks
Ref: Anastasios Sidiropoulos
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