Son Heung-min Steals the Spotlight! Spurs Survive Late Hoffenheim Scare to Close in on Europa League Last 16 Dream
Tottenham Hotspur got off to a flying start in their match against Hoffenheim, taking the lead within the opening minutes. Pedro Porro showcased his vision and precision with a perfectly weighted long ball over the top, finding James Maddison in stride. The midfielder displayed excellent composure, controlling the pass before slotting the ball home to give Spurs a dream start.
The second goal of the night came with a stroke of luck and some creative play. Maddison, who was heavily involved in Tottenham’s attacking efforts, sent a pass forward that took a significant deflection. The ball fell kindly into the path of Son Heung-min, the Spurs captain, who made the most of the opportunity. His shot, also deflected, looped over Hoffenheim goalkeeper Oliver Baumann, leaving him helpless as Tottenham doubled their advantage.
In the first half, goalkeeper Brandon Austin made a crucial contribution to keep the scoreline at 2-0. The young shot-stopper pulled off an impressive save to deny Hoffenheim and maintain Spurs’ lead going into the break. However, the second half brought a shift in momentum, as the home side ramped up the pressure.
Hoffenheim came close to pulling one back when former Leicester City striker Andrej Kramaric struck the crossbar. Moments later, the German side thought they had a lifeline when they were awarded a penalty. However, VAR intervened, overturning the decision and sparing Austin from conceding a spot kick.
The hosts eventually found the back of the net, with Anton Stach reducing the deficit and reigniting Hoffenheim’s hopes. But Tottenham responded with their captain leading the charge. Son Heung-min produced a moment of magic, weaving his way into the box with a stepover before unleashing a low shot across goal. The finish was precise, restoring a two-goal cushion for the visitors with just over ten minutes remaining.
Despite Tottenham’s efforts to close out the game, Hoffenheim kept pushing. Substitute David Mokwa found the net in the dying moments to make it 3-2, setting up a nervy finish. However, Spurs held firm to secure a hard-fought victory, showcasing both their attacking prowess and resilience under pressure.
