Heung-min Son double enough for nervy Spurs as pressure eases on Postecoglou

Tottenham Hotspur overcame adversity with a hard-fought 3-2 victory against Hoffenheim in Germany, maintaining their trajectory toward the round of 16. Heung-min Son’s brace and James Maddison’s early goal secured the win on a challenging night for Ange Postecoglou’s injury-stricken squad.

Despite a dominant opening, where Spurs raced to a 2-0 lead within 22 minutes, the team had to battle through periods of pressure to hold off a spirited Hoffenheim side.

The match started brightly for Tottenham as they capitalized on Hoffenheim’s defensive lapses. Maddison struck in the third minute, expertly controlling a lofted pass from Pedro Porro before driving a powerful shot into the top corner.

The early breakthrough energized Spurs, who pushed for a second, with Son and Porro both coming close. The hosts showed little resistance in the opening exchanges, and Tottenham doubled their lead following a costly error by Finn Ole Becker.

His misplaced backpass allowed Maddison to intercept and send Son through on goal. The South Korean’s shot deflected off Pavel Kaderabek, looping over goalkeeper Oliver Baumann to make it 2-0.

Hoffenheim, sitting just above the Bundesliga relegation zone, struggled to find rhythm but grew into the game as halftime approached. Tottenham’s young goalkeeper Brandon Austin was called into action, producing key saves to deny Tom Bischof and Max Moerstedt.

Defensive frailties began to surface for Spurs, who were missing 14 players and could only field a half-strength bench. Despite their dominance, they failed to extend their lead, with Lucas Bergvall misjudging a headed opportunity from a Maddison free kick.

The second half saw Hoffenheim emerge with renewed vigor, sensing an opportunity to exploit Tottenham’s tired legs. Andrej Kramaric’s header grazed the crossbar, while Anton Stach and Bischof missed promising chances.

Spurs struggled to regain control, and their defensive line became increasingly vulnerable. Austin was briefly penalized for a foul on Moerstedt while clearing a cross, but the decision was overturned after a VAR review.

Hoffenheim’s persistence paid off when Stach halved the deficit, sliding in to finish a low cross from David Jurasek, who had bypassed a fatigued Porro. The goal sparked hope for the hosts, but Tottenham’s response was swift.

On a counterattack, Rodrigo Bentancur released Mikey Moore, who set up Son to restore the two-goal cushion with a composed finish. Son’s strike brought relief to the Spurs bench, but the match was far from over.

In the dying moments, Hoffenheim found another lifeline as David Mokwa capitalized on Tottenham’s defensive lapse to head in Kramaric’s cross, making it 3-2.

The visitors endured a nervy five minutes of added time but managed to see out the victory. Their resilience, despite the mounting injury crisis, ensured that a home win against Elfsborg in their next fixture would secure progression without the need for a play-off round.

This rollercoaster of a match showcased Tottenham’s attacking prowess and defensive vulnerabilities. Maddison’s early creativity and Son’s clinical finishing provided the highlights, while Austin’s crucial saves underlined his potential.

However, the team’s inability to maintain control after a strong start highlighted the toll of their depleted squad. Postecoglou’s men will need to regroup quickly and find solutions to their defensive issues if they are to sustain their European campaign.

As Spurs prepare for their next challenge, the focus will be on managing their resources effectively and avoiding further injuries. The Hoffenheim match was a testament to their determination, but it also served as a reminder of the fine margins in football.

For now, Tottenham can take pride in their gritty performance, knowing they remain on course for the round of 16 despite the obstacles in their path.