Spurs edge Vissel, 3-2, in J.League World Challenge thriller

Spurs edge Vissel, 3-2, in J.League World Challenge thriller

Tottenham Hotspur secured the Meiji Yasuda J.League World Challenge 2024 powered by docomo on Saturday night after goals from Pedro Porro, Son Heung-min, and Mikey Moore led Spurs to a 3-2 victory over Vissel Kobe.

The Japan National Stadium was absolutely rocking on both ends as 54,255 passionate fans cooked up an atmosphere to remember in the capital.

Despite the high temperatures in Tokyo, Spurs and Vissel treated supporters to a fast-paced goalfest, with the first tally coming just nine minutes in.

With Tottenham defenders failing to deal with a cross, the ball found Yuya Osako’s foot in front of goal and last season’s J1 MVP made no mistake, blasting the ball into the back of the net for an early advantage.

It wouldn't last long. In the 16th minute, Spurs answered back with an intricate, incisive move in the final third. Dejan Kulusevski's tidy backheel found Porro, whose cutback and finish was as ruthlessly effective as it was aesthetically pleasing.

While the next half-hour offered no breakthroughs, the proceedings were not short on action, with Kulusevski and Son both coming close to putting Spurs ahead.

Tottenham would have to wait until the second half to break the deadlock, but they would do so when Brennan Johnson sprinted in behind the Vissel backline, won a footrace, and played a perfect ball across goal for Son. The South Korean star did what he does best, finding himself in acres of space to calmly slot home for a 2-1 lead.

This end-to-end affair had more twists in it, though. Halftime substitute Jean Patric sent the Kobe crowd crazy in the 64th minute when the Brazilian's clever dribble past Oliver Skipp set up a clinical finish for the equalizer.

With all to play for in the final act, both sides pressed for a winner. In the end, it was the visitors from North London who delivered the knockout blow, courtesy of a remarkably youthful linkup in the 87th minute.

After a clever pass into the half-space from Manor Solomon sprung Jamie Donley in behind, the 19-year-old striker squared to 16-year-old sensation Mikey Moore, who tapped in from close range for the 3-2 lead.

Tottenham would keep that lead until the end and secure the Meiji Yasuda J.League World Challenge 2024 powered by docomo. But, as the stadium-wide applause at the final whistle would indicate, this was a night that both sets of fans, and plenty of neutrals on-hand, could feel happy and proud about witnessing.

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