Son Heung Min returns to form to earn injury-hit Tottenham vital Europa League win
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Hoffenheim 2-3 Tottenham: A double from their captain helped earn Ange Postecoglou and his side a much-needed success. A brace by Son Heung Min earned Tottenham and Ange Postecoglou a much-needed 3-2 win at Hoffenheim to help them take a big step towards a top-eight finish in the Europa League.
![[Son Heung Min fired Tottenham to victory]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/23/20/32/Son-Heung-Min.jpeg)
Spurs were without 14 players for this penultimate match in the league phase and came into the contest on the back of five defeats in their last eight matches, but made a perfect start when James Maddison put them ahead in the third minute. Son doubled their advantage before Hoffenheim reduced the deficit and, while the Tottenham captain added a second with 13 minutes left, Postecoglou’s side had to withstand a nervy finale before they claimed a crucial three points.
Postecoglou had limited options, but did have a decision to make in goal and handed Brandon Austin only his second start with Antonin Kinsky ineligible. While Spurs’ bench was largely full of teenage prospects, they did have plenty of quality on the pitch and they made it count inside three minutes.
Rodrigo Bentancur – available after he followed concussion protocols for 12 days – passed to Pedro Porro, who produced an excellent ball over the top for Maddison and he expertly controlled before he rifled into the roof of the net. It was the perfect start for Postecoglou, but further chances were squandered with Son crowded out in a good position before Richarlison had a low effort saved.
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