Micky van de Ven scored a Puskas Award contender in Tottenham Hotspur's 4-0 win over Copenhagen - leaving fans and teammates in disbelief.
The Spurs centre-back ran the length of the pitch in a stunning solo goal to help his side return to winning ways in the Champions League.
Micky van de Ven scoring against Copenhagen in the Champions League
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Van de Ven scored one of the goals of the season in Tottenham's win over CopenhagenCredit: Getty
A statement victory was needed for the hosts following the 0-0 draw away at Monaco a fortnight ago, while they needed to raise supporters' spirits after the 1-0 defeat to Chelsea last time out.
And Van de Ven especially knew he needed to make amends having been partly at fault for Joao Pedro's winner.
The Dutch defender was also cast as a villain after appearing to snub boss Thomas Frank after the full-time whistle, where he immediately headed down the tunnel instead of clapping the fans.
Despite some calls for him to be dropped from the team, Frank revealed that the Dutchman apologised over his actions, with the player retaining his place in the line-up against Copenhagen.
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Stunning unseen footage shows how Tottenham players reacted to Micky van de Ven wondergoal
And it was a decision that paid off, as he not only got himself in the good books of those that he disappointed, but he scored an early goal of the season contender.
Taking the Micky
With Tottenham already 2-0 up and cruising, the ex-Wolfsburg star once again flexed his insane speed to leave those inside the stadium with their hands on their head - quite literally.
In a goal reminiscent of Heung-min Son's goal against Burnley in December 2019 that won him the Puskas Award, Van de Ven picked up the ball on the edge of his box.
He proceeded to bring the ball forward after sprinting into the open space, and by the time he got to the halfway line, he had already dribbled past five five players.
In unseen footage that has gone viral on social media, left-back Destiny Udogie and winger Wilson Odebert put their hands to their head as their teammate steamrolled towards the box.
And Van de Ven made no mistake with his finish as he expertly curled home into the bottom left corner with the Spurs squad sprinting over to celebrate with him.
Micky van de Ven in action against Copenhagen
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Van de Ven picked up the ball on the edge of his box before going on a solo runCredit: TNT Sports
Micky van de Ven sprinting past Copenhagen at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
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He blitzed past five players by the time he got to the halfway lineCredit: TNT Sports
His strike saw him become Spurs' joint top scorer alongside Richarlison this season with three goals each.
As his manager Frank quite simply put it, 'It was like Lionel Messi transformed into a centre-back'.
Fans were quick to social media to insist that Van de Ven has to win the Puskas Award next, with his incredible strike leaving talkSPORT's Jamie O'Hara purring.
Speaking on the Sports Bar, the ex-Spurs midfielder gushed: "He's Lionel Messi-esque tonight. That was outrageous. It's a brilliant goal."
Before adding: "He's a top player, he's world-class, Van de Ven's world-class.
"Van de Ven's better than any Real Madrid centre-half."
Micky van de Ven celebrating his goal against Copenhagen
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Van de Ven is well and truly back in the good books of all Tottenham fansCredit: Getty
Micky van de Ven celebrates scoring for Tottenham
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Van de Ven ran the length of the pitch to score
For the player himself, he insists he simply ran the length of the pitch as he knew he was uncatchable.
He remarked: "I started dribbling and thought I thought that I would see if they would catch up and they didn’t.
"I saw the space more and more, and then at one point I thought, ‘OK I’m through now, I’ll go for goal now.'
“Probably they were (worried about my hamstrings). I’m feeling good.
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"I felt amazing in the sprint. I felt like I could keep going and going, and I did.”
Van de Ven will now be looking help Spurs return to winning ways in the Premier League against Manchester United in Saturday's 12:30pm kick-off - live on talkSPORT.