Tottenham draw 2-2 with Hoffenheim as James Maddison starts and Luca Williams-Barnett scores.
Tottenham Hotspur played out an entertaining 2-2 draw against German Bundesliga side TSG Hoffenheim in a behind-closed-doors friendly at Hotspur Way. The fixture took place just 24 hours after Spurs secured a convincing 3-0 victory against the same opponent at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Head coach Roberto De Zerbi fielded a completely rotated starting XI for the rematch at Enfield, offering valuable pre-season match fitness to key senior players and emerging academy talents.
The opening half proved lively as Hoffenheim took an early lead in the 16th minute. Czech forward Adam Hlozek converted a penalty past Brandon Austin after James Maddison lost possession inside his own penalty area and committed a foul. Tottenham responded swiftly through veteran defender Ben Davies, who headed home an equalizer from a delightful Mateus Fernandes cross following a short corner routine.
As reported by Last Word on Spurs on X, right on the stroke of half-time, Spurs produced the standout moment of the match to take a 2-1 lead. James Maddison, Pape Matar Sarr, and 17-year-old wonderkid Luca Williams-Barnett combined in a fluid passing move through the central channels. Williams-Barnett finished the attack with a clinical first-time strike into the net. Hoffenheim eventually brought the game back level in the 55th minute through Alex Honajzer, ensuring the match ended in a 2-2 tie.
James Maddison Makes Long-Awaited Starting Return
Beyond the goalscoring display from Williams-Barnett, the match marked an important milestone for James Maddison. The England international playmaker made his first starting appearance for Tottenham Hotspur in 472 days. Having suffered a serious knee injury during a European semi-final match in May 2025, Maddison had been restricted to training sessions and late substitute appearances. Getting extended minutes on the pitch allows the creative midfielder to build crucial match sharpness ahead of the upcoming Premier League campaign.
The goal from Luca Williams-Barnett underlines the impressive depth rising through Tottenham’s youth ranks. Having already made history as Spurs’ youngest ever player in League Cup history, the teenager continues to demonstrate remarkable composure against top-tier opposition. With pre-season preparations coming to a close, Roberto De Zerbi has successfully evaluated his full squad across back-to-back fixtures against Hoffenheim, positioning Tottenham well for the competitive season ahead.