Tottenham 1-0 Real Madrid: Kane fires Spurs to Audi Cup win

Tottenham Hotspur traveled to Munich, Germany and defeated Real Madrid in the Audi Cup, hosted at the Allianz Arena. Harry Kane scored a first half goal off of a bad defensive error by Madrid’s Marcelo, and Spurs went on to win 1-0, advancing to the championship game on Wednesday. They will play the winner of Bayern Munich and Fenerbahce.

Mauricio Pochettino opted to start the match with a pretty strong lineup, though with a few wrinkles. Erik Lamela got the start ahead of Dele Alli, who was on the bench. Juan Foyth got a start at right back, with Danny Rose back into the side at left back. Christian Eriksen, Son Heung-Min, and Harry Kane were up top, with Tanguy Ndombele and Harry Winks anchoring the midfield. And, of course, Janby Alterweirtonghen were in the back line. Paulo Gazzaniga was preferred to Hugo Lloris in goal for this match.

First Half

1’ — Nearly an early chance for Madrid as Benzema tries to take the ball in the box. Gazinga comes out and makes a sliding clearance.

12’ — Pretty even thus far. Both teams with a few half chances, but no real serious attempts at goal or shots.

16’ — Two decent looks for Madrid — Kroos has a shot deflected out for a corner, and on the ensuing play Marcelo has another look blocked away.

19’ — Nearly an own goal for Spurs! Lamela sets up Danny Rose, who’s low cross is hit by a Madrid player and well saved by Navas. The Madrid keeper makes two successive saves — one on Son, and another on Ndombele. Spurs unlucky not to lead.

22’ — GOAL TOTTENHAM! A defensive error from Marcelo leads to Tottenham’s first goal! Kane latches onto a loose ball, dribbles into the box, and easily slots past Navas to put Spurs up 1-0!

27’ — Benzema nearly equalizes for Madrid. His shot goes through the legs of Toby but just wide of the post.

31’ — Kane with another shot on target, again blocked away by Navas. But even better was an audacious and sexy lobbed pass from Lamela to set up Harry. Wow.

42’ — Kane with a snap-turn and shot inside the box that is deflected out again. Lamela, meanwhile, was taken out in the box but no penalty given.

HALFTIME — Kane’s poacher’s goal the difference between the sides. Madrid looks like they’re in slow motion, but Spurs have been bright and deserve that lead.

Second Half

Lots of halftime changes, as expected. Nine of them, in fact! Oliver Skipp, Hugo Lloris, Dele Alli, Anthony Georgiou, Lucas Moura, Japhet Tanganga, Davinson Sanchez, Moussa Sissoko, Kyle Walker-Peters all on for Spurs to start the second half. Real Madrid made none.

53’ — First yellow of the game for Anthony Georgiou, who cleans out Madrid’s Lucas Vasquez. Lamela would be proud.

59’ — SHOT SON! Sonny with a curling effort towards the top corner, forces a diving save from Navas who has been annoyingly good.

61’ — Another hard shot form Kane, another save from Navas. Lather, rinse, repeat. Spurs are getting a lot more looks at goal than Madrid, or at least it seems that way.

62’— ANOTHER chance for Spurs! Lucas Moura with a lovely ball to Dele who volleys at goal and forces a save from Navas.

64’ — Subs from Madrid — Kroos, Varane and Vasquez off, Valverde, Vinicius, and Nacho on. Also two Spurs subs — Kane and Son off, Parrott and Nkoudou on.

69’ — KWP with a very nice pass into the box for Dele who whiffs on the clearance. Looked like he might’ve been fouled, but no call from the official.

75’ — Rodrygo puts the ball in the net for Madrid... but he’s juuuuuust offside. It remains 1-0 to Spurs.

86’ — OH SO CLOSE FROM TROY PARROTT! The Spurs youngster smacks the post on a nice counterattack and it caroms off. Unlucky!

FULL TIME — That’s it from Madrid. Tottenham got one goal from Harry Kane but could’ve had a lot more. Final score is 1-0.

Reactions:

• That was a meaningless preseason friendly win. Also, Tottenham are going to win the Premier League.
• Madrid were playing at about half speed for much of the match — everything looked super slow and lethargic. That said, they played a very strong side for the first 60 minutes and Spurs were better than them.
• Keylor Navas prevented that match from being a blowout. Any other keeper in there and Spurs score 4 or 5 goals.
• A healthy Erik Lamela is a gift, and he was very good in the opening 45 minutes today. Let’s hope he stays that way this season.
• Also good: Kyle Walker-Peters, Danny Rose, Tanguy Ndombele, and (yes) even Juan Foyth, who played conservatively but didn’t look especially out of place at right back. Harry Kane looks like he’s ready to start balling from the very beginning of the season.
• I was again impressed by Troy Parrott’s movement and striker’s instincts. This kid has got the goods and I want to see him in cup matches this year.
• In all seriousness, if we can somehow get Giovani Lo Celso over the line before the end of the transfer window, this is a team that could make a title challenge if we’re healthier than last season. There, I said it, and I’m not taking it back.
• Spurs will play the winner of Bayern Munich and Fenerbahce tomorrow at the Allianz.