Tottenham captain Heung-min Son scored in each half to earn his side a 3-2 victory at Hoffenheim in the Europa League on Thursday.
Spurs were quickly into their stride with James Maddison opening the scoring in the third minute with a deft finish from a long pass, and Son doubled the lead after 22 minutes.
Hoffenheim dominated the second half and their efforts paid off in the 68th minute when Anton Stach connected with a cross from a counter-attack and slid the ball home.
Yet the hosts' momentum was halted when Son scored with a low shot from an acute angle inside the box in the 77th minute.
Hoffenheim's David Mokwa headed in a cross from Andrej Kramaric in the 88th minute, but the hosts could not find an equaliser.
It was a crucial win for Spurs in difficult circumstances and three points are surely all that matters given recent form.
Hoffenheim vs Tottenham latest news
- Son brace seals crucial win for shaky Tottenham in Europa League
- Tottenham player ratings: Justice for Austin as Son decisive
- Tottenham close in on progress but Postecoglou's urgent need is clear
- Postecoglou names four 'brilliant' Tottenham players in Europa League win
Good bye!
20:36 , Jonathan GorrieThanks for joining Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Tottenham’s win over Hoffenheim.
Find our report, ratings, analysis and reaction below!
Postecoglou names four 'brilliant' Tottenham players in Europa League win
20:35 , Jonathan GorrieAnge Postecoglou praised his senior players, including goal-scorers Heung-min Son and James Maddison, as Tottenham took an important step towards the Europa League knockouts with a 3-2 win over Hoffenheim in Germany.
Spurs will finish in the top eight of the league phase if they beat Swedish club IF Elfsborg at home next Thursday after Maddison's goal and a double from Son earned them a hard-fought but nervy win over the Bundesliga strugglers.
Postecoglou was missing no fewer than 14 players on the night, including 10 through injury, and Spurs finished the game with five teenagers on the pitch, including debutant Callum Olusesi.
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Tottenham close in on progress but Postecoglou's urgent need is clear
20:20 , Jonathan GorrieTottenham took a huge step towards the Europa League knockouts with a nervy and entertaining win over Hoffenheim in Germany.
James Maddison opened the scoring inside three minutes, racing onto Pedro Porro's pass to finish superbly, and Heung-min Son made it 2-0 with a deflected strike after good work from the England playmaker.
Tottenham player ratings: Justice for Austin as Son decisive
19:53 , Jonathan GorrieTottenham took a significant step towards the Europa League knockouts with a tense 3-2 win over Hoffenheim, settled by Heung-min Son's double.
Ange Postecoglou was missing no fewer than 14 players in Germany but Spurs still had plenty of quality in the XI and James Maddison finished superbly to put them ahead after just three minutes.
Son's deflected strike made it 2-0 as Spurs threatened to run riot in the first half but they faced intense pressure either side of the interval, with Antonin Stach deservedly pulling a goal back just after the hour.
Son fired a trademark finish into the corner to restore Spurs' two-goal lead but David Mokwa headed home late on to set up a nervy finale.
Here's how we rated the Spurs players...
Son brace seals crucial win for shaky Tottenham in Europa League
19:42 , Jonathan GorrieA brace from captain Heung-min Son sealed a crucial win for Tottenham away at Hoffenheim in the Europa League.
FT: Hoffenheim 2-3 Tottenham
19:39 , Jonathan GorrieFT: Spurs just about hang on! A crucial three points, even in shaky circumstances.
Hoffenheim 2-3 Tottenham
19:32 , Jonathan Gorrie90 mins: FIVE MINUTES ADDED ON!
GOAL! Hoffenheim 2-3 Tottenham | David Mokwa '88
19:31 , Jonathan Gorrie88 mins: GOAL!
David Mokwa nods in at the back post to set-up a nervy finish!
Standard Sport's Dan Kilpatrick
19:22 , Jonathan GorrieSpurs really needed that. They have looked shattered in the second half but you can't leave a player of Son's quality with that much space too often. That should be enough for Spurs who are close to taking a giant step towards the knockouts.
GOAL! Hoffenheim 1-3 Tottenham | Heung-min Son '76
19:20 , Jonathan Gorrie76 mins: GOAL!
And how badly Spurs needed it! Brilliant finish from Son, who shoots across the keeper from a tight angle.
Standard Sport's Dan Kilpatrick
19:13 , Jonathan GorrieIt is a brilliant counter from Hoffenheim and it has very much been coming. Spurs cannot hold up the ball to relieve the pressure. Perhaps young Will Lankshear would make a positive difference up top.
GOAL! Hoffenheim 1-2 Tottenham | Anton Stach '68
19:11 , Jonathan Gorrie68 mins: GOAL!
The hosts have one back! Stach taps in after a counter.
Hoffenheim 0-2 Tottenham
19:07 , Jonathan Gorrie64 mins: NO PENALTY!
Hoffenheim 0-2 Tottenham
19:07 , Jonathan Gorrie63 mins: Oh well, Kramaric was gearing up to take it, the referee goes across to the monitor.
Austin had been judged to have fouled Moerstedt when competing for a loose ball.
Hoffenheim 0-2 Tottenham
19:05 , Jonathan Gorrie61 mins: PENALTY TO HOFFENEHEIM!
Hoffenheim 0-2 Tottenham
19:02 , Jonathan Gorrie59 mins: Austin forced into a scrambling save after Bischof tries to chip him.
Hoffenheim 0-2 Tottenham
18:58 , Jonathan Gorrie56 mins: Mikey Moore on to replace Richarlison.
Hoffenheim 0-2 Tottenham
18:57 , Jonathan Gorrie54 mins: OFF THE BAR!
Kramarcic’s header hits the upright! Warning sign for Spurs...
Hoffenheim 0-2 Tottenham
18:56 , Jonathan Gorrie53 mins: Spurs just cannot keep a hold of the ball and are duly inviting a lot of pressure onto their defenders.
Hoffenheim growing in confidence.
Hoffenheim 0-2 Tottenham
18:52 , Jonathan Gorrie48 mins: Kramaric wants a penalty after going down under the challenge of Bergvall, but nothing given.
Spurs cannot keep the ball in the early stages of the second-half.
Hoffenheim 0-2 Tottenham
18:47 , Jonathan GorrieBack underway!
Standard Sport's Dan Kilpatrick
18:34 , Jonathan GorrieHT, 0-2: It should be 3-0 but it could easily be 2-2, so a typical Spurs game in many respects. Ange Postecoglou will be pleased, though, and if Spurs can get another one quickly, they should be able to rest a couple of key players for the final half-hour.
HT: Hoffenheim 0-2 Tottenham
18:33 , Jonathan Gorrie45 mins: Maddison and Son with the goals to send Spurs into the break with big advantage.
Hoffenheim 0-2 Tottenham
18:29 , Jonathan Gorrie43 mins: Another for Spurs here would surely kill the game, albeit the hosts have shown flashes in an attacking sense of late.
Standard Sport's Dan Kilpatrick
18:20 , Jonathan GorrieBearing in mind the quality of the opposition, Bentancur has been excellent on his return to the side. Spurs have really missed the Uruguayan's calmness and ability to break up play.
Hoffenheim 0-2 Tottenham
18:20 , Jonathan Gorrie33 mins: Big save from Austin to deny Bischof. Gets down well to his right from relatively close range.
Standard Sport's Dan Kilpatrick
18:12 , Jonathan GorrieMaddison was terrific for the second goal, showing a great desire to get on the ball and a presence of mind to cut back and release Son. There was a huge element of fortune in the finish but it is no less than Spurs deserve for their dominance so far.
GOAL! Hoffenheim 0-2 Tottenham
18:09 , Jonathan Gorrie21 mins: GOAL!
And Spurs have their second! They break and Son’s shot is deflected into the Hoffenheim net!
Hoffenheim 0-1 Tottenham
18:02 , Jonathan Gorrie15 mins: Son blazes a presentable chance over!
Spurs could really be 3-0 up here.
Hoffenheim 0-1 Tottenham
17:59 , Jonathan Gorrie12 mins: Porro shoots just wide after taking a brilliant touch to tee up an effort after a lovely ball from Son.
Hoffenheim 0-1 Tottenham
17:56 , Jonathan Gorrie09 mins: Maddison is purring here. Everything good about Spurs is going through him.
Hoffenheim 0-1 Tottenham
17:54 , Jonathan Gorrie07 mins: Good block from Dragusin to deny Bischof. The hosts growing into the game now.
Standard Sport's Dan Kilpatrick
17:53 , Jonathan GorrieThe perfect start for Spurs and a fine goal, crafted by Porro and finished by Maddison. Establishing a solid lead in Germany is key to Spurs potentially bringing on some youngsters in the second half and sparing some key legs ahead of Leicester on Sunday.
GOAL! Hoffenheim 0-1 Tottenham | James Maddison '3
17:49 , Jonathan Gorrie03 mins: GOAL!
What a start! Brilliant ball from Pedro Porro finds James Maddison.
The midfielder takes it down with a fine touch before finishing into the roof of the net!
Hoffenheim vs Tottenham
17:46 , Jonathan GorrieKICK-OFF!
Hoffenheim vs Tottenham
17:27 , Jonathan GorrieThe warm-ups are underway!
they are here.#UEL | #TSGTOT pic.twitter.com/y4kgOU4nUJ
— TSG Hoffenheim EN (@tsghoffenheimEN) January 23, 2025
Standard Sport's Dan Kilpatrick
17:08 , Jonathan GorrieA first start for Richarlison since August and a welcome return for Rodrigo Bentancur are the headlines from the Spurs XI. There’s no surprises in Ange Postecoglou’s side given the scale of the club’s injury problems.
Mikey Moore is the most experienced outfield on the bench…and he’s 17. Confirmation, too, that Brandon Austin has moved ahead of Fraser Forster as the club’s homegrown goalkeeping choice.
Hoffenheim vs Tottenham
16:48 , Jonathan GorrieThree changes from Sunday’s defeat for Spurs, with Austin in for Kinsky and Richarlison in from the off.
A very young bench underlines the scale of the injury crisis at hand...
Confirmed Tottenham lineup
16:45 , Jonathan GorrieTottenham XI: Austin; Porro, Dragusin, Davies, Gray; Bergvall, Bentancur, Maddison; Kulusevski, Richarlison, Son
Subs: Forster, Whiteman, Hardy, Cassanova, Olusesi, Moore, Lankshear
Confirmed Hoffenheim lineup
16:44 , Jonathan GorrieHoffenheim XI: Baumann; Kaderabek, Akpoguma, Nsoki, Jurasek; Stach, Becker; Hlozek, Bischof; Kramaric, Moerstedt
Subs: Philipp, Hranac, Gendrey, Micheler, Kalambayi, Chaves, Behrens, Mokwa, Erlein, Duric
Pedro Porro defends Tottenham transfer policy with three success stories
16:21 , Jonathan GorriePedro Porro believes the form of Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall justifies Tottenham's transfer policy to invest in young stars.
Spurs have made a concerted effort in recent seasons to snap up the continent's most promising youngsters, having beaten Barcelona to the signing of Bergval and spent big on bringing in Gray in the last 12 months.
Hoffenheim vs Tottenham
16:08 , Jonathan GorrieA look inside tonight’s venue!
📍 Rhein-Neckar-Arena pic.twitter.com/wKAaFM5xkE
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 23, 2025
Ange Postecoglou admits Tottenham may not make any more new signings during January transfer window
15:55 , Jonathan GorrieAnge Postecoglou has acknowledged that Tottenham may not add to their stretched squad before the end of the month, despite the club's worsening injury crisis.
Postecoglou has repeatedly requested "help" for his depleted squad in the form of new signings this month, with the head coach set to be without no fewer than 10 players through injury for Thursday's Europa League tie against Hoffenheim, while four others are ineligible.
Archie Gray: Poor performances will never shake me, I'm grateful to play for Tottenham
15:39 , Jonathan GorrieTottenham's Archie Gray insists he is not shaken by his difficult afternoon in Sunday's 3-2 defeat to Everton and revealed he spoke to his dad, former Premier League player Andy, for advice after the game.
The 18-year-old has largely been impressive since filling in at centre-back during Spurs' midwinter injury crisis but he struggled at Goodison Park, where he was turned by Dominic Calvert-Lewin for the hosts' opener and scored an own goal which made it 3-0 in first-half stoppage-time.
Why Tottenham must end doom cycle against Hoffenheim to earn Europa League reprieve
15:22 , Jonathan GorrieThere have been several points already this winter when Tottenham's selection crisis appeared to have peaked but, on Thursday night, Ange Postecoglou's absentees will reach new heights, with no fewer than 14 players unavailable for the Europa League tie against Hoffenheim.
That is over half of the Australian's squad, leaving the head coach barely able to cobble together a coherent XI for a game which Spurs can scarcely afford to lose.
Europa League permutations: What Tottenham need to qualify for knockout stages
15:19 , Jonathan GorrieIf Tottenham beat Hoffenheim: This would do Spurs the world of good and put them safely on course for an automatic last-16 spot.
If Tottenham draw with Hoffenheim: This would leave Spurs needing to beat Elfsborg next week, but even four points from two games may not be enough for a top-eight finish.
If Tottenham lose to Hoffenheim: A top-eight finish would almost certainly be out of reach, even with a victory over Elfsborg, but a two-legged play-off spot should be secured. Spurs are highly unlikely to finish 25th or lower and be knocked out of Europe entirely.
Hoffenheim vs Tottenham: Head to head (h2h) history and results
15:19 , Jonathan GorrieThis is the first competitive meeting between the two teams.
Hoffenheim vs Tottenham: Europa League score prediction today
15:17 , Jonathan GorrieTwo teams in miserable form meet in a game both need to win. Hoffenheim last time out finally won under their new boss, winning away at relegation-threatened Holstein Kiel, but like Spurs have largely been on the wrong end of results over the past weeks and months.
It will likely be a game with little quality, but those inside the PreZone Arena will take it tough for the Spurs, but it is the visitors who boast more talent and that should shine through.
Tottenham to win, 2-1.
Tottenham team news vs Hoffenheim today
15:16 , Jonathan GorrieTottenham have barely 11 senior players available for tonight’s Europa League tie at Hoffenheim, with at least seven still sidelined and Antonin Kinsky, Djed Spence and Sergio Reguilon ineligible in the competition.
With January signing Kinsky unable to be registered until after the initial phase and Guglielmo Vicario injured, Postecoglou faces a choice between Brandon Austin and Fraser Forster in goal.
Radu Dragusin is available despite needing stitches during Sunday's defeat at Everton and could partner either Ben Davies or Archie Gray at centre-back, with the other playing left-back.
Rodrigo Bentancur is back in the squad after completing concussion protocols and should come into the side at the base of midfield, with Lucas Bergvall and James Maddison pushing for further starts in the twin No8 roles.
Pape Sarr has been ruled out with an injury.
Richarlison and Mikey Moore both impressed from the bench at Goodison Park and may be rewarded with starting places, with Postecoglou likely to want to rest one or both of Dejan Kulusevski and captain Heung-min Son.
Hoffenheim team news vs Tottenham today
15:16 , Jonathan GorrieHoffenheim have an injury list to almost rival Spurs' with Ihlas Bebou, Marius Bulter, Ozan Kabak, Christopher Lenz, Grischa Promel, Diadie Samassekou and Umut Tohumcu all sidelined. Former Tottenham transfer target Gift Orban is ineligible for the game having only arrived from Lyon this month.
Hoffenheim vs Tottenham: TV channel and live stream for Europa League today
15:16 , Jonathan GorrieTV channel: Tonight's game will be shown live in the UK on TNT Sports 2, with coverage beginning at 5pm GMT. Kick-off at PreZero Arena is at 5.45pm.
Live stream: Fans can catch the contest live online via the Discovery+ app and website.
Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog.
Welcome
14:53 , Jonathan GorrieGood afternoon and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Tottenham’s Europa League clash away at Hoffenheim this evening.
Kick-off from the PreZero Arena in Sinsheim is at 5.45pm GMT.
