Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Villarreal: Champions League Player Ratings and Match Highlights
Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Villarreal: Champions League Player Ratings and Match Highlights
Tottenham Hotspur beat Villarreal 1-0 in a poor Champions League encounter. Spurs got off to a fantastic start, but at the expense of Villarreal goalkeeper Luiz Junior. There appeared to be little danger to the Spanish side’s goal when Lucas Bergvall put a cross in from the right, which Luiz Junior appeared to have gathered. Yet somehow the goalkeeper allowed the ball to escape his grasp and squirm in the net after only three minutes. Tajon Buchanan really should have equalised for Villarreal, but failed to test Guglielmo Vicario from 12 yards out.
As the second half progressed, it became clear this wasn’t really worthy of a match in the Champions League. Both teams struggled to find any real rhythm or fluency. Bergvall showed flashes of good play, giving several hints of the player he could become, but by and large this wasn’t a great attacking game. There were far too many misplaced passes for that and few threats on goal. Between the two sides they could only muster a single shot on target during the entire game. Although Spurs won’t be too concerned, having kept a clean sheet and won the match.
Match Highlights
Tottenham Hotspur Player Ratings
GK: Guglielmo Vicario – 6/10
Looked a little uncertain at times, but stayed clear of errors to match his opposite number.
RB: Pedro Porro – 6.5/10
Once again, he showed what a great delivery he has with that magic right foot.
CB: Micky van de Ven – 7/10
Looked strong and powerful as ever in the Spurs back four.
CB: Cristian Romero – 7/10
Showed his leadership with his aggression and power. Made some very good recovery tackles.
LB: Djed Spence – 6.5/10
A pragmatic, if not spectacular display, but in a defensive sense, one his manager will be pleased with.
RM: Pape Sarr – 7/10
Looked lively and had a few efforts on goal.
CM: Rodrigo Bentancur – 6.5/10
Was solid enough in the middle of the park.
LM: Lucas Bergvall – 7.5/10 – Player of the Match
Looked a real danger at times as he drifted forward on attacks.
RW: Mohammed Kudus – 6/10
Not really able to put in a significant contribution for Spurs. Although he did show discipline.
CF: Richarlison – 6/10
His usual petulant self, going into the book in the first half, but was at times a pest to the opposition.
LW: Xavi Simons – 6/10
A little quieter than Spurs fans would have liked. Looked to get on the ball without having the killer touch. Fortunate not to have got a second yellow card.
SUB: Destiny Udogie – 6/10
Given a 21-minute run out with the game in the balance, made some forward runs and showed positive play.
SUB: Joao Palhinha – 6/10
Replaced Sarr to give Spurs fresh legs in midfield.
SUB: Brennan Johnson – 5/10
Almost playing as a left wing-back when he came on, so unable to provide any goal threat.
SUB: Randal Kolo Muani – 5/10
Warmly received by the Spurs fans when coming on. Looked strong and able, even if this wasn’t to be his night.
SUB: Kevin Danso – N/A
Brought on in injury time.
Villarreal Player Ratings
GK: Luiz Junior – 4/10
Credited with a horrid own goal when he failed to gather a Bergvall cross from the right and spilt the ball into his own net. Although he did do ok afterwards, but the error defined his evening.
RB: Santiago Mourino – 5.5/10
Was kept pretty occupied by the threat of Bergvall and Simons.
CB: Juan Foyth – 6.5/10
Was resolute at the back after his goalkeeper’s calamitous error. Would have expected to have hit the target with his header seven yards out.
CB: Renato Veiga – 6/10
Had to be on his guard after his goalkeeper’s disastrous early error.
LB: Sergi Cardona – 6/10
Put in an honest shift before being replaced after 75 minutes
RM: Nicolas Pepe – 6.5/10
The former Arsenal player was busy against Spurs. Although the home fans enjoyed taunting him.
CM: Santi Comesana – 6.5/10
Rolled his sleeves up in the engine room for Villareal as they looked to stage a comeback.
CM: Pape Gueye – 5/10
Gave the ball away at times in the second half, which summed up the quality of this game.
LM: Tajon Buchanan – 6/10
Had a golden opportunity to equalise in the first half from 12 yards, but failed to hit the target.
CF: Ayoze Perez – 6/10
Showed some intelligent link-up play, although very few opportunities in the Spurs box fell his way.
CF: Georges Mikautadze – 6.5/10
Had an interesting duel with van de Ven. He looked to try and get the Spaniards back into the game.
SUB: Alfonso Pedraza – 5/10
Replaced Perez with 15 minutes left, which wasn’t enough time to make an impact.
SUB: Ilias Akhomach – 5/10
Almost gave away a penalty seconds after coming on, but VAR decided against the spot kick.
SUB: Dani Parejo – 5/10
A late run out for the Spanish veteran midfielder.
SUB: Thomas Partey – 5/10
The former Arsenal man was given a lively welcome by Spurs fans. Unable to rankle them with a Villarreal equaliser.
SUB: Alberto Moleiro – 5/10
The last of the Villarreal subs to be brought on.