U.E.F.A CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
MATCHDAY 4
TUESDAY 4TH NOVEMBER, 2025
(8PM)
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 4(1) FC COPENHAGEN 0(0)
Scorers:-
Johnson, 19
Odobert, 51
Van de Ven, 64
Palhinha, 67
Attendance:- 49,565
Referee:- Erik Lambrechts
Assistants:- Jo de Weirdt & Kevin Monteny
Fourth official:- Nathan Verboomen
VAR:- Bram Van Driessche
(All officials from Belgium)
Teams:-
Spurs (4-2-3-1):- 1. Vicario; 23. Pedro Porro, 17. Romero (Capt.) (sub 4. Danso, 73), 37. Van de Ven, 13. Udogie (sub 24. Spence, 73); 30. Bentancur, 29. Sarr; 22. Johnson, 7. Xavi (sub 6. Palhinha, 61), 28. Odobert (sub 44. Scarlett, 80); 39. Kolo Muani (sub 9. Richarlison, 72)
(Armband to Van de Ven)
Subs not used:- 31. Kinsky, 40. Austin; 76. Rowswell; 57. Kyerematen; 70. Akhamrich
Booked:- Kolo Muani (foul on Elyounoussi)
Sent off:- Johnson (57 mins) “ foul on Lopez
Copenhagen (4-4-2):- 1. Kotarski; 20. Suzuki, 5. Gabriel Pereira (sub 4. Garan'anga, 72), 6. Hatzidiakos, 15. Lopez; 11. Larsson (sub 39. Dadason, 46), 12. Lerager (Capt.), 36. Clem, 30. Achouri (sub 16. Robert Silva, 76); 9. Moukoko (sub 7. Claesson, 72), 10. Elyounoussi (sub 14. Cornelius, 72)
Subs not used:- 31. Runarsson, 61. Buur; 22. Zague; 21. Madsen
Booked:- Gabriel Pereira (foul on Kolo Muani), Suzuki (foul on Udogie), Lerager (foul on Scarlett)
All rise for Micky van de Ven!
Spurs v Copenhagen, 04.11.25
The stadium rose to its feet in anticipation as Micky van de Ven raced out of his area with only one intention. That was to make a bee line for the Copenhagen goal. Our Spurs hero demonstrated superb athleticism, couple with ball control, pace, and a fine finish to score a replica of Son's "Puskas" goal 6 years ago in December 2019. Micky left five Copenhagen players in his wake and will surely win goal of the season and a second "Puskas" award for Spurs. It was a sublime moment and the stadium rose as one to applaud their hero.
There could not be a greater contrast between Saturday's performance against Chelsea and this expansive, expressive, and entertaining show from a team determined to show their potential. Xavi gave his best performance yet in a Spurs shirt and was unlucky to be sacrificed after Brennan Johnson was shown a red card after VAR and a monitor review upgraded an original yellow for an ankle-high sliding tackle on Lopez.
Palhinha replaced Xavi and we thought Spurs were going to defend what was a two-goal lead at the time. They did the opposite. Palhinha can count the assist for his short backward pass to Van de Ven who launched his box-to-box run. Palhinha even added a goal of his own to secure the win three quarters of the way through the game.
Spurs remain unbeaten in this Champions League phase and climbed to seventh place before Wednesday night's games.
There had been doubts about Kudus, who did not train on Monday, and he was not included in the squad. Lucas Bergvall won't play until after the international break due to concussion protocols.
Once again Kolo Muani led the line. He had chances to score but can claim credit for his efforts when assisting Odobert's goal, which was Spurs' second.
Sadly, there were many vacant seats, but Spurs did their best to rack up the atmosphere again with lights, "Can't smile" and the trumpet led "Oh when the Spurs."
Spurs v Copenhagen, 04.11.25
Spurs, playing in all white, kicked off towards the North Stand. The visitors had the first shot on target following a corner taken from the left, but Larsson's effort was very comfortably into Vicario's hands. There was a full quota of away fans who were literally bouncing! They sang for most of the game, despite the ultimate defeat.
Xavi and Udogie were effective down the left wing and Xavi's shot was deflected for a Spurs corner. Johnson caused a little panic for the defence after Odobert's pass, but the ball was cleared. Pedro Porro hit a free kick over the target from some 30 yards out, after Muani had been fouled. After taking Xavi's pass, Udogie hit a shot on target, but that was held by goalkeeper Kotarski.
Brennan Johnson was our top scorer last season but hasn't had so many starts this season with Kudus around. Brennan scored his second club goal of this season in the 19th minute, and it was a fine finish as Bentancur passed to Xavi who chipped a pass down the right channel. Kotarski came out to try and collect, but Johnson rounded the keeper before scoring with a fine finish across the goal and inside the far post.
Sarr headed over from a Johnson cross after a Spurs corner. The visitors then had a bit of possession, giving Spurs some defensive exercise. Moukoko hit a shot wide. At the other end Muani, Xavi and Odobert threatened, but couldn't force a shot on goal. Achouri missed the target with a shot from distance.
More good Spurs play saw Xavi cross from the left for Muani who missed the target. There might have been an offside here in any case. Muani had another chance in added time following another Xavi cross, but the Spurs striker headed over.
Copenhagen coach Jacob Neestrup made a half-time change of Dadason for Larsson.
Udogie sent in a good early cross, but Johnson could not quite reach the ball. We soon had a second goal when Kolo Muani chased Pedro Porro's keeper. His shot was blocked by the advancing keeper, but looped up, and with defenders recovering ground, Muani chose to tee up Odobert for an easy finish.
Moukoko (scorer of 4 recent goals for Copenhagen) had a shot held by Vicario, before Johnson was shown a yellow card by Belgian referee Erik Lambrechts after a midfield foul on Lopez. VAR called the referee to the monitor, and the card was upgraded. Johnson won't be going to Paris at the end of this month.
On came Palhinha and the ten men played like twelve, such was the nature of the opposition. Kolo Muani threatened goal but were blocked before Micky van de Ven lit up the stadium with his sensational and never to be forgotten goal. Micky is our top scorer with 6 club goals including one against PSG in the August European Super Cup.
Palhinha's goal followed very quickly as he advanced upon the Copenhagen goal with Odobert and skipper Romero. Romero made the final pass from the left for Palhinha to scorer with a low right-footed finish.
It was very much game over and plenty of substitutions followed including Richarlison for Kolo Muani and ultimately Dane Scarlett for Odobert.
Richarlison's header from a Pedro Porro cross rebounded off the woodwork, and "Richie" missed the target with a similar chance. His frustration was complete in added time when Scarlett was fouled, but the Spurs number 9's penalty kick hit the bar. A fine, entertaining win had long been secured.
Let's hope we can replicate this form in Saturday lunchtime's game against a rejuvenated Man United.
Our next Champions League game is away to PSG, who lost 2-1 at home to Bayern tonight.
. Champions League standings
. Squad numbers,appearances,bookings & goalscorers
. Read the preview for this game.