What a rollercoaster ride at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium! One player's jaw-dropping solo goal turned the tide in a dramatic Champions League clash, but a harsh red card left fans reeling and sparked heated debates. Dive in to see how the Spurs squad fared against Copenhagen—and prepare for some fiery opinions.
Tottenham's player ratings from their thrilling encounter with Copenhagen have been dished out by Standard Sport, highlighting a mix of standout performances and some puzzling refereeing decisions. Let's break it down player by player, with a bit more context to help even newcomers to football appreciate the action.
Starting in goal, Guglielmo Vicario earned a solid 7. After his heroic displays in recent matches, this was a more subdued outing for the Italian keeper. He showed poise when dealing with Copenhagen's crosses, confidently plucking balls out of the air, and handled four straightforward saves without breaking a sweat. It's the kind of reliable steadiness that keeps defenses sleeping soundly.
Full-back Pedro Porro stood out with an 8, impressing with his skillful crossfield passes that swung play out to the left flank. He cleverly set up two golden opportunities for Richarlison, only to see them wasted—leaving Porro gesturing in disbelief. For beginners, think of this as a defender playing like a midfield maestro, creating chances from deep.
Cristian Romero also nabbed an 8 for his leadership role. He was proactive with the ball, threading clever through-passes to unlock Simons in dangerous areas. Plus, he was lightning-quick to clean up teammates' errors, showcasing his captain-like qualities. This Argentine defender leads by example, often turning potential disasters into non-events.
And this is the part most people miss—Romero's partner in the backline, Micky van de Ven, was nothing short of sensational with his 9 rating. He pulled off a goal so extraordinary, it could rival some of the greatest in football history—a Puskás Award-worthy solo run nearly the full length of the pitch in what felt like a heartbeat. (For those new to the term, the Puskás Award celebrates the year's best goal, often for spectacular individual brilliance.) Van de Ven single-handedly calmed the nerves after a red card sent Spurs into chaos, restoring order to the stadium.
Destiny Udogie got a 7 for his lively start, linking up effectively with Odobert to make the left wing a real danger zone for Copenhagen. He understandably tired a bit later, given his limited recent game time. It's a reminder of how fitness plays a huge role in maintaining that early spark.
Rodrigo Bentancur was a pressing powerhouse with an 8, stepping up with energy after some recent critiques. With Joao Palhinha on the bench, the Uruguayan was relentless in winning back possession and composed when distributing the ball, even pushing forward with more adventurous passes. If you've ever seen a midfield enforcer turn the game on its head, this was it.
Pape Matar Sarr had a 7, starting slowly but finding his rhythm as Spurs played with ten men, thriving in the extra space that demanded more running. He seemed to enjoy the challenge, proving he's capable of adapting to higher workloads. For fans, it's encouraging to see a player grow stronger under pressure.
But here's where it gets controversial—Brennan Johnson scored a 7 despite a clinical finish when opportunities arose and some strong dribbling, before receiving an incredibly harsh straight red card that felt unjust. Did the referee overreact, or was it a fair call? This moment could have changed the game's outcome, and it's got everyone debating whether it was the right decision or a turning point that favored Copenhagen.
Xavi Simons shone with an 8 for his excellent first-half showing, exploiting the central space Copenhagen left him and coming close to notching three assists. It was unfortunate he was the one substituted after Johnson's red, but his creativity was undeniable. As a young talent, he's showing why he's being compared to football's next big things.
Wilson Odobert earned an 8 as Tottenham's top left-sided option, bursting forward directly and posing a constant threat. He coolly finished his goal to extend the lead— a real statement in the making for this rising star.
Randal Kolo Muani was rated 7 for a mixed bag: he squandered two massive chances before halftime, but then provided a sublime touch for Odobert's assist, making him a tricky customer for defenders. It's the classic striker's dilemma—wasteful one moment, magical the next.
Now, onto the substitutes who made an impact:
Joao Palhinha came on for Simons at 61 minutes and grabbed an 8 for his cameo, helping solidify the lead and even pushing forward to add another goal. His midfield steel turned the game in Spurs' favor during a tense period.
And here's another point that's stirring debate—Richarlison replaced Kolo Muani at 72 minutes but only managed a 4, hitting the bar twice, including a penalty that crashed off the woodwork. Was it bad luck, or should a top striker convert those? Some argue he was unlucky with the woodwork intervening, but ruthless forwards often find a way. What do you think—does he need to step up, or was fate against him?
Djed Spence stepped in for Udogie at 72 minutes and got a 6, offering a few promising runs down the left despite coming off the bench after an injury scare.
Kevin Danso replaced Romero at 72 minutes with a 6, easing through the last 20 minutes as Copenhagen posed no real threat.
Finally, Dane Scarlett entered for Odobert at 80 minutes and scored a 7 for his impressive work in winning the penalty—clearly eager to take it himself—and making a strong case in his debut minutes this season.
Overall, Tottenham's resilience shone through, with individual heroics lifting them past Copenhagen despite the setbacks. But those red card controversies and missed chances? They're bound to ignite passionate discussions. Do you agree with these ratings, or is there a player you think deserves more praise (or blame)? Was the red card fair, or did it unfairly tilt the game? Share your thoughts in the comments—we'd love to hear your take and spark some friendly debate!
