Falcao scores brace as Spurs suffer without Bale

Welsh star Bale is widely expected to complete a world record move, valued at around €100m, to Real Madrid in the next few days and the 24-year-old did not travel to Monaco for the game.

Spurs, who were also without new €30m recruit Roberto Soldado, struggled throughout to contain Monaco, now coached by former Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri and who were promoted back to Ligue 1 last season.

They were worthy winners with Radamel Falcao, their €60m signing from Atletico Madrid, grabbing two goals.

Monaco were a goal ahead after 15 minutes when Italian defender Andrea Raggi volleyed beneath Hugo Lloris in the Tottenham goal.

Two minutes after the interval, Argentinian winger Lucas Ocampos got in front of Harry Kane to head home.

In the 49th minute Falcao scored his first goal of the night, a simple tap in from a pass by Ocampos.

Kane pulled one back for 3-1 just before the hour, but Falcao restored the three-goal cushion with a 15-yard drive which screamed past Lloris.

It was 5-1 after 71 minutes when midfielder Mounir Obbadi finished off a three-man break.