Son and Maddison Shine as Spurs Secure Nervy Europa League Win Over Hoffenheim

Tottenham Hotspur edged a thrilling 3-2 victory over Hoffenheim in the UEFA Europa League, thanks to crucial contributions from James Maddison and Son Heung-min. Ange Postecoglou’s side faced a mix of brilliance and pressure in Germany, ultimately holding on to boost their chances of a top-eight finish in the group stage.

The game began with a bang as Maddison struck inside three minutes, capitalizing on a precise long ball to chip Hoffenheim’s goalkeeper, Oliver Baumann. Spurs doubled their lead soon after when Maddison turned provider, setting up Son. The captain’s deflected shot looped into the net, leaving the hosts with plenty to do.

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Hoffenheim, sitting near the bottom of the Bundesliga, struggled to find their rhythm in the first half. However, they rallied just before halftime, with Andrej Kramaric’s header hitting the woodwork and Brandon Austin making crucial saves to maintain Spurs’ two-goal cushion.

The second half saw a dramatic shift. Hoffenheim's persistent attacks earned them a lifeline in the 68th minute when Anton Stach finished off a swift team move. The goal injected new life into the home side, putting Spurs under relentless pressure. Despite this, Son struck again in the 77th minute, delivering a captain’s performance. A defensive error allowed Dejan Kulusevski to steal possession and find Son, who coolly scored his second with a signature curling strike.

Yet, Spurs couldn’t relax. Substitute David Mokwa pulled one back for Hoffenheim late on, capitalizing on sloppy defending to make it 3-2. The hosts pushed for an equalizer in the closing minutes, but Spurs' backline held firm.

Postecoglou praised his team’s resilience, especially with five academy players on the pitch during the finale. Despite injuries and a lack of depth, Tottenham climbed to fourth in the standings, and a win against Elfsborg next week will secure their place in the knockout stages.

Son and Maddison’s leadership was instrumental, while the squad’s grit ensured a hard-fought win. Spurs remain in contention for European glory, though they’ll need to address defensive vulnerabilities to sustain their campaign.

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