Match report as Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s goal rescues a point for Spurs in the Europa Conference League against French outfit Rennes; Spurs took an early lead but Rennes fought back; Steven Bergwijn and Lucas Moura suffered injuries

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s close-range finish salvaged a 2-2 draw for Tottenham in their Europa Conference League Group G opener against Rennes but their injury problems worsened.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s much-changed side appeared to be heading for defeat at Roazhon Park but substitute Hojbjerg poked home Matt Doherty’s deflected cross (76) four minutes after Gaetan Laborde had deservedly put the hosts in front.

Earlier, Spurs had taken the lead when Lucas Moura’s attempted cut-back bounced into the Rennes net off defender Loic Bade (11), but the visitors soon faded and Flavien Tait equalized for Rennes (23) with a clinical low finish from the edge of the box.

Spurs ultimately did just about enough for a point and there was an eye-catching performance from the returning Tanguy Ndombele, who appeared to be on his way out of the club in the summer, but their efforts in France came at a cost.

Spurs, already without Heung-Min Son, lost Steven Bergwijn in the first half after the Dutchman, who had only just returned from injury, hurt the same ankle, while Moura was also forced off with an ankle problem after the break.

It remains to be seen whether either will be able to face Chelsea in Sunday’s Premier League meeting at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, live on Sky Sports Premier League.