Imagine a central defender, known for stopping goals, suddenly morphing into a world-class striker rivaling Lionel Messi. Sounds impossible, right? But that's precisely what happened when Micky van de Ven scored a truly sensational goal, leaving fans and pundits alike in utter disbelief. You know you’ve done something special when the comparison to arguably the greatest footballer of all time starts swirling around.
Tottenham were leading Copenhagen 2-0, but down to 10 men, the pressure was mounting. Most defenders in that situation would have simply hoofed the ball clear. Van de Ven, however, had other plans. This wasn't just a clearance; it was a statement.
He embarked on a breathtaking run from the edge of his own penalty area, leaving a trail of bewildered Copenhagen players in his wake. He glided past one, two, three opponents with ease, then skillfully navigated through two more near the halfway line. The Spurs fans rose to their feet, sensing something special was about to happen. And he didn't disappoint. Van de Ven coolly slotted the ball past goalkeeper Dominik Kotarski, sparking scenes of wild celebration. It was a goal that will be replayed for years to come, a moment of pure magic from an unlikely source.
After the game, Tottenham boss Thomas Frank couldn't contain his excitement. "It seems like Lionel Messi turned into Micky van de Ven, running from his own goal down the other end to score," he exclaimed after his side’s emphatic 4-0 victory over the Danish side, a result that maintained their unbeaten start in the Champions League. This win was crucial, solidifying their position with two wins and two draws in their first four games.
Van de Ven, 24, arrived at Tottenham from Wolfsburg in August 2023 for a reported £34 million fee. While primarily known for his defensive prowess, he's recently added goals to his game. He found the net in the Uefa Super Cup against Paris St-Germain in August, followed by goals in a 3-0 win at West Ham, a 2-2 Champions League draw at Bodo Glimt, and a brace in the 3-0 victory at Everton last month. But, and this is the part most people miss, none of those goals came close to matching the sheer audacity and brilliance of his Champions League strike.
"I started dribbling and thought I would see if they would catch up, and they didn't," Van de Ven modestly told TNT Sports. "I was feeling good, and I felt amazing in the sprint; I felt like I could keep going."
While Van de Ven tried to downplay his achievement, others were far more effusive in their praise. Former England midfielder Owen Hargreaves, speaking on TNT Sports, declared: "It's one of the best goals you will ever see, ever! He runs past players like they're not even there. To stay strong and then to finish, that's ridiculous. Goal of the season, game over!"
Former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha, speaking on Match of the Day: Champions League, added: "It's top. Really, really good. It's like when he assisted at Old Trafford last season [referring to a run from deep to set up Brennan Johnson in a 3-0 victory against Manchester United]. When defenders go on those runs, it's hard to understand who should stop them. With the size and the speed he has, we actually saw a player on the other side of the pitch who wanted nothing to do with him."
Curtis Davies, a former Premier League defender, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, highlighted the defender's instinct: "He kind of stepped out looking for a pass, and nothing was on. Once he saw the space ahead of him, he knew nobody was catching him. He was at full tilt, full pace."
The goal has inevitably drawn comparisons to Son Heung-min's stunning solo effort against Burnley in 2019, a winding run that earned the then-Tottenham forward the 2020 Puskas award. Could Van de Ven be a contender for the same award? What do you think?
For Tottenham and Thomas Frank, this victory was a much-needed boost after a disappointing 1-0 home defeat to Chelsea on Saturday, a game where the team was booed off the pitch. That loss extended a concerning run of form at home, with only one point taken from three successive Premier League matches, despite a relatively strong start to their Champions League campaign with five points from their opening three games.
Frank had urged the fans to get behind the team, and they responded magnificently, creating a superb atmosphere alongside a passionate following from Copenhagen. The atmosphere was electric, a testament to the power of football.
The home crowd's mood was lifted early on when Brennan Johnson opened the scoring in the 19th minute, followed by Wilson Odobert adding a second shortly after the restart, putting Spurs firmly in control. But here's where it gets controversial... Johnson's subsequent sending-off, after a VAR review deemed his sliding challenge on Marcos Lopez to be dangerous, threatened to derail their progress.
However, Van de Ven's moment of brilliance quickly extinguished any hope of a Copenhagen comeback. Despite having a man advantage, the Danish side crumbled, with Joao Palhinha adding a fourth goal. There was even a chance for a fifth, but Richarlison's penalty struck the crossbar in added time.
"We're progressing forwards, but we are not where we want to be," admitted Frank after the game. "I saw a good performance, which I'm happy with. We talked about bounce-back mentality, and there will be setbacks in football; it's how you react after a bad spell. We controlled the game from minute one."
For Van de Ven, it's been a rollercoaster few days. Following the Chelsea game, television footage appeared to show him and teammate Djed Spence seemingly snubbing Frank after the manager gestured for them to acknowledge the home fans. Both players apologized for the incident, and Frank drew a line under the matter in Monday's press conference.
Following Van de Ven's goal, a moment of magic that will be talked about for years to come, Frank joked about the Dutchman: "He can keep walking past me if he is angry if he delivers like that!"
So, what do you think? Was Van de Ven's goal truly worthy of comparison to Lionel Messi? And could it be a Puskas Award contender? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
