Tottenham Hotspur's Son Heung-min scored dramatically from a corner kick, helping secure his team's place in the semifinals of the Carabao Cup after a thrilling 4-3 victory against Manchester United.
The quarterfinal match took place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on December 20, 2024. The game was initially under Tottenham's control, with the team boasting a commanding 3-0 lead by the 54th minute. This combination of goals came from Dominic Solanke, who netted twice, and Dejan Kulusevski, who scored the third. Everything seemed to be going the right way for Tottenham until the team's goalkeeper, Fraser Forster, made two costly mistakes, allowing Manchester United to close the gap and make the game decidedly competitive.
After goals from Joshua Zirkjay and Ahmad Diallo following errors from Forster, the score tightened to 3-2, placing Tottenham in precarious territory. It was then, at the 43rd minute of the second half, when Son Heung-min, serving as the corner kicker, scored from the corner with a stunning right-footed kick. The unexpected goal, which had an expected score value of just 0.01 according to Footmob, seemed to defy football odds and served as a massive morale boost to his teammates and fans alike.
“It was a unique score,” stated Football London, referencing Son’s incredible achievement, often dubbed an 'Olympic goal'. The corner kick traveled directly to the net without any touch from other players, which is rarely seen within the sport. The victory kept Tottenham on track to potentially lift the Carabao Cup for the first time since their last triumph in 2008, preceding Son's arrival at the club.
Despite the win, Tottenham faced stiff criticism over their failure to maintain momentum. Manager Enze Postecoglou expressed relief at the victory and appreciation for his team's resilience, emphasizing during the press conference, “If you play well, you bring yourself to a crisis. Then we overcome the crisis and win. It should have been won much more comfortably. I’m happy with my players’ concentration.”
Further proof of Son's leadership emerged post-match; when discussing Forster’s blunders, he expressed confidence and support for his teammate, “It’s not just Foster’s mistake. We know how many good plays Foster has made this season. He is experienced and will continue to move forward with us.” Such sentiments underline Son’s role not only as scorer but also as team's captain and support system during difficult times.
Post-Game analyses by various media outlets reflected mixed reviews of Son’s performance. While he played the full match and made significant contributions, receiving ratings ranging from 7 to 8 points, critiques mentioned he seemed less dominant at times during Manchester United's resurgence.
Tottenham's next challenge features another intense match against Liverpool, who await them as semi-final opponents. With aspirations to finally secure silverware, Son Heung-min’s determination and efforts lay the groundwork for what could be the club’s revival under pressure.
Regardless of the shaky moments throughout the match, Son Heung-min’s goal is poised to be remembered as a moment of brilliance—a moment where son’s ability shone brightly to rescue his team just when they needed him the most. With all eyes now on the upcoming matches, fans will be hoping to see Son lead Tottenham to their long-awaited trophy.
