Tottenham Hotspur were leading 2-0 in the match when a red card forced them slightly on the back foot. Seizing the opportunity, Copenhagen launched an attack. But it was Tottenham’s own Mickey van de Ven who turned defence into a moment of brilliance, producing a run reminiscent of Lionel Messi’s iconic goals.
Receiving the ball near his own penalty area, the centre-half drove forward with remarkable composure. One by one, he bypassed five opposing players before entering Copenhagen’s penalty box, where he finished with a brilliant left-footed strike, leaving the goalkeeper helpless.
The goal immediately drew comparisons with Messi’s legendary solo efforts, where the Argentine maestro would glide past defenders to slot the ball into the net. Following the goal, van de Ven naturally received widespread praise for his extraordinary display of skill and composure under pressure.
After the UEFA Champions League match, Tottenham coach Thomas Frank remarked in the post-match press conference, “For that moment, van de Ven was Messi.”
Just three minutes later, Tottenham extended their lead with another goal from Heung-min Son, securing a convincing 4-0 victory on their home turf.
Van de Ven joined Tottenham from Wolfsburg in August 2023. Though primarily a defender, he has shown increasing proficiency in goal-scoring in recent matches. Among all his goals, Tuesday’s effort was undoubtedly the most remarkable and has been hailed as one of the best by fans and pundits alike.
Speaking to TNT Sports immediately after the match, van de Ven described his strike as “an incredible moment” and expressed satisfaction at contributing to the team’s dominant performance.
Former England midfielder Wayne Hargreaves also joined the chorus of praise, commending van de Ven’s composure, skill, and ability to turn a defensive position into a match-defining goal.
Match Summary:
| Team | Goals |
|---|---|
| Tottenham Hotspur | 4 |
| Copenhagen | 0 |
This performance highlights van de Ven’s rising influence at Tottenham, demonstrating that he is not only solid in defence but also capable of producing moments of magic in attack.