Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven scored a breathtaking solo goal in their 4-0 Champions League victory over Copenhagen, a run from his own penalty area that drew immediate comparisons to Lionel Messi and was hailed by pundits as one of the greatest goals ever seen. The stunning effort came while Spurs were down to 10 men, sealing a crucial win that bolstered their unbeaten start in the competition and provided a much-needed boost after recent domestic struggles.
In the latter stages of the match, with Tottenham leading 2-0 but reduced to 10 players after Brennan Johnson’s red card in the 57th minute, Van de Ven received the ball on the edge of his own box. Instead of opting for safety, the Dutch centre-back embarked on an audacious run, sprinting past one, two, then three opponents, weaving through the midfield, and outpacing a defender near the halfway line to break through on goal. As the home crowd rose in anticipation, he calmly slotted the ball past Copenhagen goalkeeper Dominik Kotarski, triggering wild celebrations among his teammates and securing a moment that will be replayed for years.
The goal’s timing was pivotal, extinguishing any hopes of a Copenhagen fightback despite their numerical advantage and capping a dominant performance from Spurs. Manager Thomas Frank expressed awe at the strike, remarking, ‘It seems like Lionel Messi turned into Micky van de Ven, running from his own goal down the other end to score.’ This comparison underscored the rarity of such a feat from a defender, highlighting Van de Ven’s unique blend of speed, power, and composure in a high-pressure situation.
Reactions from football experts and former players were equally effusive. Owen Hargreaves described it as ‘one of the best goals you will ever see, ever,’ emphasizing how Van de Ven ‘runs past players like they’re not even there.’ Nedum Onuoha noted similarities to the defender’s earlier assist against Manchester United, pointing out that his physical attributes make him nearly unstoppable on such runs, while Curtis Davies praised his decision-making and pace, stating he was ‘at full tilt’ with no one able to catch him.
Van de Ven’s goal has drawn comparisons to Son Heung-min’s Puskas Award-winning effort against Burnley in 2019, emphasizing its quality and the unexpected source. The 24-year-old, who joined Tottenham from Wolfsburg in 2023 for £34 million, has recently added goals to his game, scoring in the UEFA Super Cup and other key matches, but none matched this solo effort. Reflecting on the moment, he told TNT Sports, ‘I started dribbling and thought I would see if they would catch up and they didn’t. I was feeling good, and I felt amazing in the sprint.’
The victory was a significant response for Tottenham and Frank, coming just days after a 1-0 home loss to Chelsea where fans booed the team off the pitch. Frank had urged supporters to back the squad, and they responded with a vibrant atmosphere, helped by early goals from Johnson and Wilson Odobert. Even after Johnson’s dismissal, Spurs controlled the game, with Joao Palhinha adding a fourth goal and Richarlison hitting the crossbar with a late penalty, demonstrating a resilient ‘bounce-back mentality’ that Frank had emphasized.
With this win, Tottenham move to eight points in their Champions League group, maintaining an unbeaten record and strengthening their bid for the knockout stages. Van de Ven’s goal not only secured the points but also served as a symbolic moment of redemption, following a minor controversy where he and a teammate appeared to snub Frank after the Chelsea defeat. The manager joked post-match that Van de Ven ‘can keep walking past me if he is angry’ if he delivers such performances, highlighting the goal’s impact on team morale and its lasting legacy in football lore.