FRIENDLY MATCH
SUNDAY 3RD AUGUST, 2025
(12 noon UK time - at World Cup Stadium, Seoul)
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1(1) NEWCASTLE UNITED 1(1)
Spurs scorer:-
Johnson, 4
Newcastle scorer:-
Barnes, 38
Attendance:- 64,773
Referee:- Jong-Hyeok Kim
Teams:-
Spurs (4-3-3):- 31. Kinsky; 23. Pedro Porro (sub 24. Spence, 46), 17. Romero (sub 37. Van de Ven, 46), 4. Danso, 33. Davies (sub 80. Vuskovic, 80); 30. Bentancur (sub 15. Bergvall, 46), 14. Gray (sub 10. Maddison, 75) (sub 18. Yang, 86), 29. Sarr (sub 8. Bissouma, 62); 22. Johnson (sub 28. Odobert, 75), 11. Tel (sub 9. Richarlison, 62), 7. Son (Capt.) (sub 20. Kudus, 64)
(Armband to Davies, then Van de Ven)
Subs not used:- 1. Vicario, 40. Austin, 46. Gunter (GKs); 67. Byfield; 43. Donley, 50. Abbott; 42. Lankshear
Booked:- Bissouma (foul on Osula), Richarlison (foul on Pope)
Newcastle (4-3-3):- 22. Pope (sub 29. Gillespie, 82); 2. Trippier (sub 3. Hall, 77), 5. Schar (sub 17. Krafth, 82), 33. Burn, 13. Targett (sub 21. Livramento, 62); 7. Joelinton (sub 45. Hernes, 86), 39. Guimaraes (Capt.), 67. Miley; 23. J. Murphy (sub 64. Park, 77), 10. Gordon (sub 18. Osula, 61), 11. Barnes (sub 20. Elanga, 82)
Subs not used:- 19. Vlachodimos, 26. Ruddy, 31. Thompson (GKs); 6. Lascelles; 8. Tonali; 30. Ashby, 44. Harrison, 62. Neave,
Booked:- Trippier (foul on Son)
Son's emotional farewell party
Seoul salutes a Spurs and Korean icon.
Nice one, Sonny Ÿ pic.twitter.com/syg3yhZI3e
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) August 3, 2025
After yesterday's announcement by Spurs club captain Heung-min Son, today was always going to be about "Sonny." Nearly 65,000 fans filled Seoul's World Cup Stadium, most of whom had come to pay tribute to their national captain. Son is lined up to sign for Los Angeles and will take with him many happy memories along with this emotional farewell.
The joy of the party was tinged with the regret of what appears to be a recurrence of James Maddison's knee injury, sustained within 10 minutes of his arrival on the field of play.
A ceremonial kick-off was preceded by the presentation of the teams to a party which included Spurs chairman Daniel Levy. Son's family was looking on, including his father, who looked stern whenever the camera fell upon him. I remember Son's father came across as a hard taskmaster when seen in a documentary about his son, several years ago.
Spurs played in their away strip of black, adorned by another bespoke number design by a local designer. Newcastle also played in a change strip of green. There was genuine affection displayed for Son by Newcastle players including former colleague Kieran Trippier when the players shook hands before kick-off.
Once again Dominic Solanke could not take part, although he is in the touring party. Newcastle travelled to Asia without star striker Alexander Isak, who has been subject to incessant transfer speculation, including a rejected bid by Liverpool for a reported £120 million.
Newcastle have yet to win in their pre-season campaign which will be completed with two home games against Espanyol and Atletico Madrid. Their 17-man bench included four goalkeepers. Another keeper - Aaron Ramsdale - has just been signed on loan from relegated Southampton.
Newcastle kicked off. Within two minutes, after a Tel corner taken from the left, Sarr had a right-footed shot parried by Pope, and Bentancur's follow-up was wide. Spurs had an early lead after Danso (playing left of Romero) stole an attempted clearance and passed to Brennan Johnson, who was in a central position. Johnson scored with a low right-footed shot which took a deflection off Burn. Johnson performed the "Son" celebration by way of tribute.
A trumpeter gave a fine rendition of "Nice one Sonny!" The crowd was rooting for the star of the show every time the ball went in his direction. Son did have some good involvements but was caught offside several times and thwarted regarding any attempts on goal. A fairytale goal was not to appear.
Kinsky held a decent cross by Jacob Murphy. Unfortunately, today, Spurs' play-out technique was generally below par. Having started so well, Spurs found themselves having to defend against a Newcastle side who were dominating possession 60-40. Generally, we did defend well.
Gordon was playing in the central attacking role, and he was deep inside the area on the right when he tried to tee up Joelinton, who failed to make decent contact with the ball. Gordon also hit the side netting after receiving a cross from Murphy.
At the other end, Tel failed in a one-on-one situation against Pope, having got the better of Burn. Joelinton had another chance but headed wide from Guimaraes' cross.
Son sent Archie Gray into the box and his short ball to Sarr was cleared. Sarr won a midfield ball and found Johnson in space. Johnson's crossfield pass was behind its intended recipient. After a good build-up, Son passed to Sarr inside the box and a corner ensued.
Trippier was yellow-carded for a foul on Son, and Pedro Porro's free kick was tipped over the bar by Pope. Archie Gray won aa corner after another Son pass, but the corner was headed over by Sarr.
Barnes scored Newcastle's equaliser following good work by Gordon and Murphy. Kinsky was beaten at his near post and will be disappointed. Pedro Porro blocked another Barnes shot which followed a challenge by Romero on Guimaraes, who had a brief spat. Miley hit another shot over the target after more Newcastle pressure. In added time, Kinsky comfortably held a Murphy shot.
Frank made three changes at half-time with Spence, Van de Ven and Bergvall replacing Pedro Porro and Bentancur, respectively. Kevin Danso was able to take up his favoured right-side position.
The second half was generally scrappy and littered with substitutions. There was an early cross by Son into the 6-yard box where Bergvall's shot was blocked. At the other end Gordon jabbed wide after a Targett cross. Gordon hit the net after a Trippier cross but had been two yards offside.
Son was replaced by Kudus after 65 minutes and the game was delayed considerably by mass hugs for Son (by both sides) and a guard of honour as he left the field. Similar hugs and affection were offered on the touchline, where Son eventually sat feeling very emotional. The crowd's applause and affection was long-lasting.
Brennan Johnson made an important block following a Newcastle free kick. Bissouma won a midfield ball and passed to Bergvall (playing thee attacking midfield role), whose shot was saved.
James Maddison came on for Gray. After a great ball by Bergvall to Odobert and a pass to Richarlison our number nine's shot was saved, but he had been offside. Richarlison was subsequently shown yellow for pulling Pope after a corner.
Very sadly, Maddison collapsed in obvious pain after very little contact and ultimately was stretchered off. Thomas Frank confirmed after the game that James had suffered what looks like a recurrence of his knee injury.
There was excitement after a dangerous cross by Bergvall, and especially when Odobert sent 19-year-old (substitute for Maddison) into the box. The defence got the better of Son's potential successor at Tottenham. (In both a playing and commercial sense)
At full time there was more adulation for Son, who received the bumps from his colleagues. He certainly had a fantastic farewell party.
Spurs next appointment is in Munich next Thursday tea-time to meet Harry Kane's Bayern Munich.
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