Tottenham Hotspur has already secured its place for the knockout stage of the UEFA Europa League following their emphatic 3-0 victory over Swedish club IF Elfsborg. The match took place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on January 31, 2025, and saw Tottenham finish the league phase with five wins, two draws, and one loss, totaling 17 points, which clinched them the fourth position and direct qualification to the round of 16.
Under the new format introduced this season, the Europa League features 36 teams competing over eight matches, where the top eight teams qualify directly for the knockout stage, and the remaining teams go through playoffs for additional spots. Tottenham's win against Elfsborg not only confirmed their progression but highlighted their strong performance throughout this phase of the tournament.
Captain Son Heung-min played a pivotal role during the first half, showcasing his skill and agility as he repeatedly broke through the Elfsborg defense. Despite his efforts, which included extensive dribbling and creating three significant goal opportunities, the Spurs couldn't convert those chances during the opening half and entered halftime without scoring.
Son's first notable contribution came just minutes after kickoff, when he attempted his initial shot on goal. Then, at the ninth minute, he took a corner kick leading to Ben Davies’ header, which unfortunately sailed wide. Throughout the opening 45 minutes, Son was involved heavily, completing 10 successful dribbles out of 11 attempts and maintaining high passing accuracy at 81% (30 passes out of 37).
Despite his efforts, which resulted in multiple opportunities being thwarted by the Elfsborg goalkeeper, Son was substituted at halftime as part of Tottenham's strategy to manage player fatigue, especially considering their tight schedule with matches against tougher opponents planned for the weeks to come. This cautious management raises the question: does prioritizing player fitness during less demanding matches imply broader strategic planning?
The second half saw Tottenham transform their performance drastically. With substitutions made, including Dejan Kulusevski coming on for Son, Spurs seized control and found their scoring form. Dane Scarlett emerged as the standout star after being subbed on, netting the first goal of the match after only four minutes on the pitch. Kulusevski provided the assist, and Scarlett's header from close range finally broke the deadlock.
Scarlett wasn't done there; soon after his first goal, Malora Azayi followed up with another, marking his impressive debut with Tottenham's second score, capitalizing on majestic build-up play from Scarlett. The final blow came when Mikey Moore sealed the match with the third goal during stoppage time, ensuring Tottenham finished their group phase on a high note.
Post-match statistics reflected Son's impactful first half, earning praise from various outlets for his performance. 'Footmob' awarded him with the highest rating of 8.5, noting his pivotal role on the pitch even though he didn’t register any assists or goals by the time he was substituted.
The victory against Elfsborg now sets Tottenham up confidently moving forward. With their qualification for the knockout stage confirmed, the club can focus on fine-tuning its strategy and squad depth. Head coach Ange Postecoglou expressed satisfaction with the team’s resilience but also acknowledged the need to improve effectiveness during matches. With pivotal fixtures against notable teams like Brentford and Liverpool on the horizon, team dynamics and energy management will be increasingly important.
This latest match reflects Tottenham's ambitions as they look to regain their stature on the European stage. Their performance, particularly from key players like Son, speaks volumes about their potential this season. The upcoming draw for the round of 16 will surely be awaited with anticipation as Tottenham aims to capitalize on the momentum gained.