Mathys Tel scored a stunning free-kick as Tottenham were held 1-1 by Sydney FC before claiming a 4-2 penalty shootout victory in Australia.
French forward Mathys Tel produced a moment of individual magic to score a breathtaking free-kick for Tottenham Hotspur in their pre-season tour fixture against Sydney FC Down Under. Despite controlling large periods of the contest in Sydney, Roberto De Zerbi’s team was held to a 1-1 draw in normal time before prevailing 4-2 in a post-match penalty shootout.
The defining highlight of the first half arrived in the 29th minute when Spurs earned a dangerous set-piece opportunity just outside the Sydney FC penalty area. Step up 21-year-old Mathys Tel, who stood over the ball before executing a pitch-perfect curling strike.
Tel’s effort cleared the wall with flawless trajectory and nestled directly into the top right corner of the net, leaving the Sydney goalkeeper completely helpless and giving Tottenham a deserved 1-0 lead. The magnificent goal capped off an impressive individual first-half display from the former Bayern Munich attacker, who repeatedly unsettled the domestic host’s backline with his direct running and pressing intensity.
Sydney FC Fight Back Before Tottenham Claim Shootout Victory
Tottenham made multiple rotational substitutions at the interval to manage squad workloads, introducing Sandro Tonali, Kota Takai, and young prospect Luca Williams-Barnett. However, Sydney FC capitalized on a momentary defensive miscommunication to level the score in the 55th minute. An interception by defender Kota Takai inadvertently played Takahiro Sekine through on goal, allowing the Sydney signing to finish past Martin Dúbravka.
Spurs pushed aggressively for a winning goal throughout the second half. Williams-Barnett hit the crossbar with a left-footed strike, adding to Conor Gallagher’s earlier effort that struck the post in the first half. The match also featured a club debut for defender Andy Robertson following his move from Liverpool, with the Scottish international delivering a sharp performance off the bench.
With the match ending 1-1 at the end of regulation time, the two sides proceeded directly to a penalty shootout. Tottenham displayed steel from 12 yards out, converting four of their spot-kicks, including successful penalties from marquee summer arrivals Sandro Tonali and Andy Robertson, to seal a 4-2 shootout victory.
The fixture provided valuable conditioning and tactical refinement for De Zerbi’s squad as they continue their overseas tour. Tottenham will now turn their full attention toward their final Australian pre-season test when they face Premier League rivals Chelsea on August 1.