Lucas Moura Archives - New Mail Nigeria https://newmail-ng.com/tag/lucas-moura/ Hottest and Latest Updates of News in Nigeria. Re-defining the essence of News in Nigeria Sun, 14 Mar 2021 20:32:35 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.3 https://newmail-ng.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/cropped-newmail-logo-32x32.png Lucas Moura Archives - New Mail Nigeria https://newmail-ng.com/tag/lucas-moura/ 32 32 Arsenal fight back to beat 10-man Tottenham 2-1 https://newmail-ng.com/arsenal-fight-back-to-beat-10-man-tottenham-2-1/ Sun, 14 Mar 2021 20:32:35 +0000 https://newmail-ng.com/?p=134007 Arsenal recovered from Erik Lamela’s astonishing rabona opener to beat 10-man Tottenham 2-1 in a dramatic north London derby despite the absence of exiled captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on Sunday. Lamela scored one of the greatest goals in Premier League history with an audacious strike in the first half at the Emirates Stadium. But the Tottenham […]

The post Arsenal fight back to beat 10-man Tottenham 2-1 appeared first on New Mail Nigeria.

]]>
Arsenal recovered from Erik Lamela’s astonishing rabona opener to beat 10-man Tottenham 2-1 in a dramatic north London derby despite the absence of exiled captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on Sunday.

Lamela scored one of the greatest goals in Premier League history with an audacious strike in the first half at the Emirates Stadium.

But the Tottenham forward went from hero to villain when he was sent off for a second booking after Jose Mourinho’s side blew the lead.

Martin Odegaard had equalised with a deflected effort just before half-time and Alexandre Lacazette sealed the points with a second half penalty.

Lamela’s moment of genius was ruined by his red card and it was Arsenal’s day as they beat Tottenham for the first time in six games.

Denting Tottenham’s bid to qualify for the Champions League via a top four finish in the Premier League was an added bonus for Arsenal, who hadn’t defeated their neighbours since 2018.

It was an even more impressive success given Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta caused a storm by dropping Aubameyang as punishment after he reportedly turned up late for a pre-match team meeting.

It is believed Arteta had grown frustrated with Aubameyang for similar offences in the past.

“He was going to start the game, but we had a disciplinary issue. We’ve drawn the line. We keep it internal,” Arteta said before leaving Aubameyang as an unused substitute for the entire match.

After just a third loss against the Gunners in Mourinho’s career, Tottenham remain without a win at Arsenal since 2010 and are six points adrift of fourth-placed Chelsea, with Arteta’s team a further four points behind.

All eyes were on Aubameyang when the teams emerged before kick-off and the 31-year-old sat behind the Arsenal bench with his black face mask only partially disguising his gloomy expression.

– Derby drama -Arsenal ignored the Aubameyang drama and Emile Smith Rowe whipped a dipping long-range strike over Hugo Lloris and onto the crossbar in the early stages.

Tottenham suffered a blow when Son Heung-min was replaced by Lamela in the 19th minute after the South Korea forward pulled up sharply while chasing a long pass.

After being out-played for the first 33 minutes, Tottenham took the lead in outrageous style with their only shot of the half.

When Lucas Moura found Lamela in the penalty area, the Argentine flicked his back foot behind his standing front leg to guide an audacious finish through Thomas Partey’s legs and past Bernd Leno into the far corner.

“This is one of the best goals I’ve ever seen in the Premier League. We’ve never seen anything like this,” former Tottenham midfielder Jamie Redknapp told Sky Sports.

The 29-year-old’s impudent effort recalled a similar goal he unleashed against Asteras Tripolis in the Europa League in 2014.

Lamela’s first league goal this season could have shattered Arsenal’s fragile morale but they hit back strongly.

Cedric fired against the post before the Gunners got a stroke of luck with their 44th minute equaliser.

Kieran Tierney’s cross reached Odegaard 12 yards out and the on-loan Real Madrid midfielder swivelled for a low shot that deflected off Tottenham’s Toby Alderweireld as it beat the wrong-footed Lloris.

With Tottenham lacking momentum, Mourinho hauled off Gareth Bale early in the second half to the obvious irritation of the Wales forward.

But Arsenal remained on top and they took the lead in the 64th minute.

Nicolas Pepe’s pass gave Lacazette a sight of goal and Davinson Sanchez made a despairing lunge that clattered into the French striker.

Michael Oliver pointed to the spot and Lacazette picked himself up to slot home the penalty.

Lamela saw red in the 76th minute after crashing his arm into Tierney’s face.

Tottenham laid seige to Lloris’s goal, but Harry Kane’s header was erased by an offside flag before the striker hit a post with his free-kick in the final moments.

The post Arsenal fight back to beat 10-man Tottenham 2-1 appeared first on New Mail Nigeria.

]]>
Superb Bergwijn help Spurs beat Man City https://newmail-ng.com/superb-bergwijn-help-spurs-beat-man-city/ Mon, 03 Feb 2020 05:24:05 +0000 https://newmail-ng.com/?p=115502 Steven Bergwijn marked his debut with a superb volley as Tottenham won a bad-tempered Premier League affair with 10-man Manchester City to boost their top-four hopes. The result lifts Spurs to fifth, four points behind fourth-placed Chelsea, while City remain second, 22 points behind leaders Liverpool who can win the title on 21 March when […]

The post Superb Bergwijn help Spurs beat Man City appeared first on New Mail Nigeria.

]]>
Steven Bergwijn marked his debut with a superb volley as Tottenham won a bad-tempered Premier League affair with 10-man Manchester City to boost their top-four hopes.

The result lifts Spurs to fifth, four points behind fourth-placed Chelsea, while City remain second, 22 points behind leaders Liverpool who can win the title on 21 March when they play Crystal Palace.

The 22-year-old’s goal came with Spurs’ first shot on target, after Oleksandr Zinchenko had been dismissed for a second yellow card and City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan had seen a first-half penalty saved by Hugo Lloris.

Son Heung-min’s effort, which deflected off Fernandinho as it flew past City goalkeeper Ederson into the bottom left corner confirmed a valuable victory for the hosts.

Football Daily podcast: Bergwijn’s brilliant debut and tough times at the bottom
Pep Guardiola’s City side had arrived in London chasing their fifth league win in six games and dominated possession but failed to convert a glut of glorious chances.

Lloris brilliantly flicked a Sergio Aguero effort on to the post and the Argentine was then at the centre of a chaotic few minutes towards the end of the first half, winning a penalty awarded by VAR following Serge Aurier’s clumsy challenge.

Gundogan however, saw his spot-kick – which took four minutes to be given – saved by Spurs keeper Lloris, with VAR then asked to rule on whether the France goalkeeper had fouled City’s Raheem Sterling as both pursued the rebound.

Tottenham’s Toby Alderweireld and Zinchenko were booked as both sets of players confronted each other in the aftermath, while Spurs boss Jose Mourinho appeared angered at the referee’s failure to book Sterling for diving when a second penalty was not awarded.

Sterling had earlier appeared fortunate to escape with only a 12th-minute booking, after replays showed his studs landing on the ankle and lower shin of Spurs midfielder Dele Alli.

City though were reduced to 10 men after the break, with Ukrainian Zinchenko receiving his marching orders for a foul on Harry Winks.

That allowed Spurs to gain a foothold in the game, with Bergwijn firing Lucas Moura’s clever cross into the bottom right corner from 15 yards to set them on their way.

Until the hour mark this had looked like being another occasion on which Spurs were going to sorely miss Harry Kane as the focal point of their attack.

Son and Moura provided dynamism and debutant Bergwijn showed some neat touches, but Kane’s ability to hold the ball and bring others into play was absent as the hosts repelled wave after wave of City attacks.

And then the game dramatically swung in Tottenham’s favour, thanks largely to Winks’ surge forward which drew Zinchenko into a rash challenge and hastened his early departure.

City, who had been readying Gabriel Jesus, were suddenly forced into a rethink and while they attempted to reorganise Spurs went ahead.

Bergwijn, who arrived at the club on Wednesday in a £27m deal from PSV Eindhoven had last scored on 7 December against Fortuna Sittard.

But there was nothing routine about the way he introduced himself to supporters of the north London club – capping a tenacious display with a fine goal.

It marked a dream debut for the Netherlands winger, who pulled up with cramp in the second half, but who was afforded a hero’s ovation when he was withdrawn after 70 minutes.

While Spurs manager Mourinho cut a frustrated figure in the first period over perceived injustices, the roles were reversed after the break with his old nemesis Guardiola appearing exasperated by his own team.

Having reminded his City side to be “more clinical” after their Manchester derby loss on Wednesday, he appeared agitated by their first-half penalty miss and the decision not to award them a second penalty.

And that was compounded two minutes into the second period when German midfielder Gundogan missed a gilt-edged chance, firing over from six yards after Sterling had laid the ball into his path and Aguero’s initial effort was cleared off the line by Alderweireld.

The champions had 18 shots but only hit the target five times and both substitute Jesus and Bernardo Silva were unable to convert late chances.

City’s lack of cutting edge ensured a sixth defeat of the season, which is as many as in their past two title-winning campaigns combined.

The post Superb Bergwijn help Spurs beat Man City appeared first on New Mail Nigeria.

]]>
Kane hits 93rd minute wonder-goal as Spurs sink Juventus in Singapore https://newmail-ng.com/kane-hits-93rd-minute-wonder-goal-as-spurs-sink-juventus-in-singapore/ Sun, 21 Jul 2019 21:08:20 +0000 https://newmail-ng.com/?p=106208 Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane scored what he called “one of the best goals” of his career to beat Italian champions Juventus 3-2 in an enthralling International Champions Cup contest in Singapore on Sunday. Kane capitalised after team mate Lucas Moura nicked the ball deep into injury time. The striker thumps his effort from the […]

The post Kane hits 93rd minute wonder-goal as Spurs sink Juventus in Singapore appeared first on New Mail Nigeria.

]]>
Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane scored what he called “one of the best goals” of his career to beat Italian champions Juventus 3-2 in an enthralling International Champions Cup contest in Singapore on Sunday.

Kane capitalised after team mate Lucas Moura nicked the ball deep into injury time.

The striker thumps his effort from the halfway line high into the steamy night and over the head of Juventus’ back-pedalling goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny.

His goal completed a comeback after Cristiano Ronaldo put Juventus 2-1 in front.

”It is probably one of the best goals of my career. I could see in parts of the game the keeper was off the line. I thought if I get a chance to shoot, I’ll shoot and thankfully it went in,” Kane said.

Spurs midfielder Erik Lamela scored the only goal of the first half, striking from close range in the 31st minute after Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon palmed a shot from teenage striker Troy Parrott.

In a livelier second half, Juventus substitute Gonzalo Higuain equalised in the 56th minute after some neat interplay on the edge of the box gave him the space to place it low into the right corner.

Then up stepped crowd-favourite Ronaldo.

Defender Mattia De Sciglio cut the ball back to the Portuguese who drilled it across the keeper in his last touch before he was replaced.

However, Juventus’ lead did not last long.

In the 65th minute, Moura got on the end of a pinpoint pass from Tanguy Ndombele, the French midfielder who joined Spurs for a club record fee earlier this month.

In the closing stages, Higuain had a decent chance to break the deadlock.

Nevertheless, it was Kane’s wonder-goal – which came after Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot lost the ball – which sealed the win in the dying seconds.

““It was a great goal. Unbelievable from Harry. It is good for him to set off pre-season with scoring,” Spurs coach Mauricio Pochettino said.

The International Champions Cup features 12 teams playing friendly matches in venues in North America, Europe and Asia.

The post Kane hits 93rd minute wonder-goal as Spurs sink Juventus in Singapore appeared first on New Mail Nigeria.

]]>
Tottenham win on away goals as Moura’s treble shuts Ajax out of Champions League final https://newmail-ng.com/tottenham-win-on-away-goals-as-mouras-treble-shuts-ajax-out-of-champions-league-final/ Thu, 09 May 2019 04:06:50 +0000 https://newmail-ng.com/?p=102322 Lucas Moura scored a dramatic 96th-minute winner to cap an astonishing Tottenham fightback against Ajax and set up an all-English Champions League final against Liverpool. Trailing 1-0 from the first leg, Spurs made the worst possible start in Amsterdam when a towering fifth-minute header by 19-year-old Ajax captain Matthijs de Ligt doubled the advantage for […]

The post Tottenham win on away goals as Moura’s treble shuts Ajax out of Champions League final appeared first on New Mail Nigeria.

]]>
Lucas Moura scored a dramatic 96th-minute winner to cap an astonishing Tottenham fightback against Ajax and set up an all-English Champions League final against Liverpool.

Trailing 1-0 from the first leg, Spurs made the worst possible start in Amsterdam when a towering fifth-minute header by 19-year-old Ajax captain Matthijs de Ligt doubled the advantage for Erik ten Hag’s exciting young side.

Tottenham hit the post through Son Heung-min before Hakim Ziyech doubled Ajax’s lead on the night with a sweeping finish after an assist by former Southampton winger Dusan Tadic.

That left Spurs 3-0 behind on aggregate yet, in another pulsating semi-final, Mauricio Pochettino’s side scored twice within five minutes in the second half.

Moura reduced the deficit with a composed finish before the Brazilian’s shot on the turn, after keeper Andre Onana had denied substitute Fernando Llorente, levelled the scores on the night and left Spurs requiring one goal to reach the final in Madrid on 1 June.

In a frantic finish, Vertonghen headed against the bar from four yards before Moura completed his hat-trick with a left-foot shot from 16 yards deep into stoppage time as Spurs won on away goals to reach their first Champions League final.

That left Spurs 3-0 behind on aggregate yet, in another pulsating semi-final, Mauricio Pochettino’s side scored twice within five minutes in the second half.

Moura reduced the deficit with a composed finish before the Brazilian’s shot on the turn, after keeper Andre Onana had denied substitute Fernando Llorente, levelled the scores on the night and left Spurs requiring one goal to reach the final in Madrid on 1 June.

In a frantic finish, Vertonghen headed against the bar from four yards before Moura completed his hat-trick with a left-foot shot from 16 yards deep into stoppage time as Spurs won on away goals to reach their first Champions League final.

It will be the second all-English final in the competition after Manchester United beat Chelsea on penalties in Moscow in 2008.

An ecstatic Mauricio Pochettino celebrates after his side’s late, late winner
Pochettino could not contain his emotions at the final whistle and shed tears of joy as he celebrated wildly with his players on the pitch.

The Argentine, who marks his fifth anniversary in charge of Spurs later this month, was on his knees after a night that rivalled the jaw-dropping drama of Liverpool’s incredible semi-final victory over Barcelona on Tuesday.

Harry Kane, who is still recovering from an ankle injury, also joined his team-mates on the pitch at the end after their extraordinary comeback.

Spurs looked dead and buried when Ziyech’s outstanding first-time finish after a cut back by Tadic made it 3-0 on aggregate before half-time but they somehow pulled themselves together.

Moura was the inspiration, producing three clinical finishes, the third and decisive goal coming when he picked the ball up from Dele Alli’s flick and shot across Onana.

He is only the fifth player to score a Champions League semi-final hat-trick, and first since Cristiano Ronaldo in May 2017 for Real Madrid against Atletico Madrid.

This was a significant hurdle for Spurs to clear.

They had lost their three previous semi-finals, including an agonising penalty shootout defeat by Chelsea in this season’s Carabao Cup.

Having moved into a new £1bn stadium last month, these are exciting times for Spurs as they chase a first trophy in 11 years.

With another top-four Premier League finish all but sealed, they are one win away from being crowned champions of Europe.

This after they took only one point from their first three group stage games and required late goals to beat PSV Eindhoven and Inter Milan, before an 85th-minute goal from Moura against Barcelona in the Nou Camp took them through to the knockout stage.

Ajax have been a joy to watch throughout this incredible European campaign, which started all the way back on 25 July in the second qualifying round against Austrian side Sturm Graz.

They have won a legion of new fans during their march through the rounds, which has included impressive wins over holders Real Madrid and Juventus.

Yet the four-time champions of Europe will need some time to recover after being denied a first appearance in the final since 1996 in the dying moments.

Boasting a three-goal aggregate advantage at half-time, their fans were in party mood before Tottenham’s amazing comeback.

De Ligt’s early header from a corner after Hugo Lloris had denied Tadic was followed by Ziyech’s clever finish and left Spurs with a mountain to climb.

Little did they know what was to come as the visitors, inspired by the exceptional Moura, produced an epic turnaround.

The post Tottenham win on away goals as Moura’s treble shuts Ajax out of Champions League final appeared first on New Mail Nigeria.

]]>
Tottenham beaten by Ajax in Champions League first leg semi-final https://newmail-ng.com/tottenham-beaten-by-ajax-in-champions-league-first-leg-semi-final/ Wed, 01 May 2019 04:21:41 +0000 https://newmail-ng.com/?p=101973 Tottenham face a daunting task to keep their Champions League hopes alive after Ajax secured a crucial advantage in the semi-final first leg. Donny van de Beek’s 15th-minute goal, steered cleverly past Hugo Lloris from close range, put Erik ten Hag’s exciting young side firmly in the driving seat going into the second leg in […]

The post Tottenham beaten by Ajax in Champions League first leg semi-final appeared first on New Mail Nigeria.

]]>
Tottenham face a daunting task to keep their Champions League hopes alive after Ajax secured a crucial advantage in the semi-final first leg.

Donny van de Beek’s 15th-minute goal, steered cleverly past Hugo Lloris from close range, put Erik ten Hag’s exciting young side firmly in the driving seat going into the second leg in Amsterdam next Wednesday.

Spurs struggled to overcome the absence of forwards Harry Kane and Son Heung-min – injured and suspended respectively – and their job was made even harder by the loss of defender Jan Vertonghen after he suffered a facial injury in the first half.

Vertonghen’s problem raised questions about player welfare after he was allowed to continue, albeit for only a few seconds, when he was clearly badly shaken up after an aerial collision involving team-mate Toby Alderweireld and Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana. He eventually had to be supported by two members of the Spurs staff as he went off.

Tottenham tried to force the pace after the break with plenty of possession, but it was Ajax who came close to adding a second when David Neres struck the inside of the post with Lloris beaten.

Ajax held on to their lead in relative comfort and it will need a stirring Spurs comeback to prevent the Dutch side facing either Barcelona or Liverpool in the final on 1 June.

Tottenham were not lacking in effort on what many regarded as the biggest night in their history, a first Champions League semi-final staged in their magnificent new stadium.

It was quality and threat that was missing, with Spurs unable to compensate for the damaging suspension of Son and the injury to top goalscorer Kane.

The burden fell on to Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli, along with Lucas Moura, but they were simply unable to trouble Ajax on a night of pure frustration for manager Mauricio Pochettino, his players and the supporters who packed this arena and backed their team superbly.

Spurs also missed the midfield industry of the injured Harry Winks and were hit further by the loss of defender Vertonghen, who was surprisingly allowed to carry on briefly despite a heavy blow to the head and apparent questioning by referee Mateu Lahoz.

The Premier League side are still not out of this tie, and if their Champions League run to the last four has proved anything, it is that they must never be discounted.

However, they were second best and lacking in punch here. They will need to produce much better if their dream of advancing to the Champions League final in Madrid is to be realised.

Ajax’s advance to the Champions League semi-finals has made them the talk of European football after the manner in which they eliminated holders Real Madrid and Italian champions Juventus.

And it was easy to see what all the fuss is about as the visitors demonstrated maturity, composure and class in such a high-pressure environment to overcome Spurs.

Ajax took the game by the scruff of the neck early on, secured the goal their superiority deserved, then took the sting out of matters when required to close out the win.

Captain Matthijs de Ligt, just 19, showed leadership qualities beyond his years in defence, organising and ordering more experienced team-mates with expertise.

And in Barcelona-bound Frenkie de Jong, 21, and fellow midfielder Van de Beek, who is just a year older, this is an Ajax team with the class and youthful appearance that plays to this club’s greatest traditions.

Ajax have almost come from nowhere after the group stages – but this is a team that looks like they have the quality and confidence to go all the way.

The post Tottenham beaten by Ajax in Champions League first leg semi-final appeared first on New Mail Nigeria.

]]>
Moura scores hat-trick as Spurs spanked Huddersfield to go third https://newmail-ng.com/moura-scores-hat-trick-as-spurs-spanked-huddersfield-to-go-third/ Sat, 13 Apr 2019 14:08:14 +0000 https://newmail-ng.com/?p=101274 Lucas Moura scored a brilliant hat-trick as Tottenham cruised past relegated Huddersfield and moved above Chelsea into third in the Premier League. A much-changed Spurs side dominated from the off at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and deservedly went ahead when Victor Wanyama danced around Ben Hamer and slotted home midway through the first half. Moura added […]

The post Moura scores hat-trick as Spurs spanked Huddersfield to go third appeared first on New Mail Nigeria.

]]>
Lucas Moura scored a brilliant hat-trick as Tottenham cruised past relegated Huddersfield and moved above Chelsea into third in the Premier League.

A much-changed Spurs side dominated from the off at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and deservedly went ahead when Victor Wanyama danced around Ben Hamer and slotted home midway through the first half.

Moura added their second just 144 seconds later as he rifled a low shot past Hamer after being played in by Moussa Sissoko.

The Brazilian was on the scoresheet again three minutes from time as he controlled and volleyed home Christian Eriksen’s cross.

And he completed his hat-trick deep into injury time with another emphatic finish past Hamer.

Christian Eriksen and Fernando Llorente had earlier hit the woodwork for Spurs as they piled on the pressure, though Hugo Lloris was called into action late on to tip a Leandro Bacuna free-kick onto the crossbar.

Huddersfield remain bottom and they have now lost six consecutive league games.

With one eye firmly on Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final second leg against Manchester City, Pochettino made seven changes to the starting XI that beat City 1-0 in the first leg.

Injured trio Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Harry Winks all dropped out of the squad, while in-form Son Heung-min was named among the substitutes, leaving Llorente and Moura to lead the line alongside Eriksen.

Spurs’ new-look front three were impressive; Llorente helped create the first by holding off his marker to make the space for Wanyama to run into, Eriksen was his influential self and Moura stole the show.

The Brazilian produced two superb finishes for his first and third while he displayed impressive skill to control Eriksen’s cross for the second.

It remains to be seen who Pochettino will pick to start at Etihad Stadium on Wednesday, and Son will almost certainly return, but Moura has certainly done his chances no harm.

And on this evidence, Pochettino has plenty of players to hurt City, even without talisman Kane.

The post Moura scores hat-trick as Spurs spanked Huddersfield to go third appeared first on New Mail Nigeria.

]]>
Liverpool retain top spot with late Alderweireld’s own goal https://newmail-ng.com/liverpool-retain-top-spot-with-late-alderweirelds-own-goal/ Sun, 31 Mar 2019 17:49:33 +0000 https://newmail-ng.com/?p=100560 Toby Alderweireld’s late own goal gave Liverpool a priceless victory and put them back on top of the Premier League. Visitors Tottenham looked on course to earn a point – and even wasted chances to go in front – after Lucas Moura deservedly equalised Roberto Firmino’s first half-header for the home side. Liverpool were on […]

The post Liverpool retain top spot with late Alderweireld’s own goal appeared first on New Mail Nigeria.

]]>
Toby Alderweireld’s late own goal gave Liverpool a priceless victory and put them back on top of the Premier League.

Visitors Tottenham looked on course to earn a point – and even wasted chances to go in front – after Lucas Moura deservedly equalised Roberto Firmino’s first half-header for the home side.

Liverpool were on the brink of losing ground to Manchester City – 2-0 winners at Fulham on Saturday – until the title race took another dramatic twist in the closing moments in front of the Kop.

Spurs keeper Hugo Lloris failed to hold Mohamed Salah’s routine far-post header and the ball ricocheted into the net off Alderweireld.

It was sheer elation for Liverpool, who are now two points clear of City having played a game more, but misery for Spurs, who are in a real fight for a top-four place and were left to regret Moussa Sissoko’s glaring miss when through on goal minutes earlier.

The post Liverpool retain top spot with late Alderweireld’s own goal appeared first on New Mail Nigeria.

]]>
Late Moura goal secures remarkable qualification for Spurs https://newmail-ng.com/late-moura-goal-secures-remarkable-qualification-for-spurs/ Wed, 12 Dec 2018 05:14:41 +0000 http://newmail-ng.com/?p=95225 Tottenham achieved “mission impossible” by qualifying for the last 16 of the Champions League, according to manager Mauricio Pochettino. Lucas Moura’s 85th-minute equaliser earned a priceless point at Barcelona, as Spurs completed an unlikely turnaround in Group B having collected only one point from their first three games. They needed to match or better Inter […]

The post Late Moura goal secures remarkable qualification for Spurs appeared first on New Mail Nigeria.

]]>
Tottenham achieved “mission impossible” by qualifying for the last 16 of the Champions League, according to manager Mauricio Pochettino.

Lucas Moura’s 85th-minute equaliser earned a priceless point at Barcelona, as Spurs completed an unlikely turnaround in Group B having collected only one point from their first three games.

They needed to match or better Inter Milan’s result at home to PSV Eindhoven and had faced elimination when Mauro Icardi cancelled out PSV’s early goal.

Moura’s goal swung the advantage back in Spurs’ favour but an agonising wait followed before it was confirmed Inter had failed to find a winner against the group’s bottom side.

Cillessen made a stunning save to deny Moura before he was finally beaten
Cillessen made a stunning save to deny Moura before he was finally beaten
Dembele's (second right) off-field issues this season have raised eyebrows but on the pitch he has now scored nine goals in 25 appearances
Dembele’s (second right) off-field issues this season have raised eyebrows but on the pitch he has now scored nine goals in 25 appearances

“I am so happy for the fans – this is a massive, massive achievement for the club,” said Pochettino.

“We suffered because when we finished the game we did not know the result at Inter. It was two very difficult minutes, but in the end of course we were so happy. It’s so important for the club.”

The Premier League side had gone behind to Ousmane Dembele’s early strike but then peppered Barcelona’s defence with wave after wave of attacks, with both Harry Kane and Son Heung-min going close.

They finally made the decisive breakthrough five minutes from the end when substitute Moura, who moments earlier had a header cleared off the line, fired in.

Spurs become only the eighth side to qualify from the group stage after claiming only one point from their first three games.

Had Pochettino’s side been eliminated they would have looked back with regret on only beating Barca goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen on one occasion.

The Dutchman, who replaced first-choice Marc-Andre ter Stegen, was exceptional throughout and his clawed save to keep out Moura’s earlier effort came after superb stops to deny Son and Christian Eriksen.

Kane was also denied by the makeshift Barcelona defence when his header was cleared off the line by Miranda.

But, like the rest of his team-mates, Kane persevered and with time running out his pinpoint cross found Moura whose first-time finish sealed Spurs’ qualification – an achievement that seemed so improbable just a few weeks ago.

Pochettino added: “I always believed it was possible to win the game. We produced a lot of chances.

“But after we missed so many we thought maybe it was not our night. We fully deserved to go through with Barcelona. We were the best teams in a difficult group.”

Tottenham fans had wished to see Champions League football at their new home this season, but the likelihood of that appeared increasingly more distant after the first three games of their campaign.

A 2-1 defeat at Inter came before a 4-2 humbling at home by Barcelona. And when they only managed a 2-2 result at PSV, it seemed game over.

But then came a flicker of hope with victory against PSV before a 1-0 win at home to Inter.

Barcelona had already qualified and expectedly named a weakened starting XI, with Lionel Messi, Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba all starting from the bench.

However, before Tottenham had a chance to test the inexperienced line-up they suffered a setback when Dembele scored a brilliant solo goal.

The Frenchman, who cost Barcelona £135m in 2017, robbed Kyle Walker-Peters of the ball at halfway, drove towards goal and cut inside the desperate lunge of Harry Winks before sliding his shot under Hugo Lloris.

The home side went close to a second a handful of times with Philippe Coutinho twice hitting the post with low efforts before Walker-Peters made a brilliant block to deny the Brazilian.

Messi was brought off the bench in the second half but he failed to make an impact, much to the delight of the visitors.

The post Late Moura goal secures remarkable qualification for Spurs appeared first on New Mail Nigeria.

]]>
Tottenham sign PSG forward, Lucas Moura for fee in region of £25m https://newmail-ng.com/tottenham-sign-psg-forward-lucas-moura-fee-region-25m/ Wed, 31 Jan 2018 20:00:00 +0000 http://newmail-ng.com/?p=78485 Tottenham have signed Paris St-Germain winger Lucas Moura for a fee in the region of £25m. The 25-year-old Brazilian, who has signed a contract until 2023, becomes Spurs’ fifth most expensive signing. Lucas joined PSG for £33.5m from Sao Paulo in 2013 but has made just six substitute appearances this season. “It’s a new chapter […]

The post Tottenham sign PSG forward, Lucas Moura for fee in region of £25m appeared first on New Mail Nigeria.

]]>
Tottenham have signed Paris St-Germain winger Lucas Moura for a fee in the region of £25m.

The 25-year-old Brazilian, who has signed a contract until 2023, becomes Spurs’ fifth most expensive signing.

Lucas joined PSG for £33.5m from Sao Paulo in 2013 but has made just six substitute appearances this season.

“It’s a new chapter of my life, a new challenge. I’m so happy. It’s a big club and I need to enjoy it, work hard and show my quality,” he said.

“I will give my best for this club because I think we have a lot of quality and we can win big things. Why not the Champions League?”

Lucas – who will wear the number 27 shirt for Spurs – scored 46 goals and contributed 50 assists in 229 appearances for the French club.

He has not featured in this season’s Champions League for PSG, and is therefore available for Spurs in the knockout stage.

Spurs have only spent more on record signing Davinson Sanchez – who joined for a reported £42m from Ajax in August – Moussa Sissoko,Erik Lamela and Roberto Soldado.

Tottenham are getting a player who has promised so much but has lost his way in the new Neymar/Mbappe era at PSG.

Impressive pace and dribbling ability, the flexibility to play centrally or out wide, quick feet and skills which get fans off their seats – on his day he can be exceptional.

Lucas was a big part of Laurent Blanc’s successful PSG side, and last season under Unai Emery he scored 19 goals and set up 11, including a run of seven goals in 12 matches.

But the campaign also summed up his frustrating inconsistency and he has a habit of disappearing during games.

Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino could be the perfect manager to get the best out of him on a regular basis. He certainly adds a brilliant option to the squad.

The post Tottenham sign PSG forward, Lucas Moura for fee in region of £25m appeared first on New Mail Nigeria.

]]>