Tottenham reach Europa League play-offs after late goals from Harry Kane and Heung-min Son see off Shkendija

1/35
Joe Krishnan24 September 2020

Late goals from Heung-min Son and Harry Kane helped Tottenham overcome Shkendija 3-1 to reach the Europa League play-offs.

Erik Lamela had put the north London side in front early on but a stunning equaliser from Valmir Nafiu forced Spurs to step up a gear.

But with Kane coming off the bench to set up Son's goal, the striker helped himself to a goal as Jose Mourinho's side came through a difficult test unscathed in Skopje.

Mourinho had left Dele Alli out of his previous two matchday squads but the 24-year-old was handed a chance to impress, while Joe Hart made his debut in goal.

After a sluggish start in the last round against Lokomotiv Plovdiv, Mourinho was keen for his side to begin on the front foot and after four minutes, his players provided a clinical answer.

Son weaved past two defenders before spotting Lamela unmarked at the far post and the Argentina finished with aplomb on his weaker right foot.

Son strikes home to restore Tottenham's lead  Photo: AP
AP

The gulf in class between the two sides was evident from the first kick, with Spurs repeatedly tearing apart their opponents but failing to find the final pass.

Indeed, Spurs had two chances to double their lead within the space of as many minutes. First, Aurier's cross found Dele at the far post and his effort was parried out by Konstadin Zahov. Then, from the resulting corner, Toby Alderweireld climbed high to meet Steven Bergwijn's corner but glances his header wide.

Despite controlling the match, the one-goal lead didn't look safe heading into the second half and Lamela twice missing the chance to double his tally didn't help matters.

But if few expected Shkendija to equalise, they certainly would have been stunned by the way the leveller came about. Besart Ibraimi fed the ball into Nafiu and the Albanian struck a ferocious 25-yard effort which flew into the top corner, leaving Joe Hart with zero chance of saving it.

Shkendija's Nafiu scored a memorable goal to level the score  Photo: Getty Images
Getty Images

Spurs were made to pay for their profligacy and Mourinho wasted no time in taking action, sending on Kane and Giovani Lo Celso for Dele and Harry Winks.

But if anything, Shkendija were growing in confidence and Spurs would have to raise their level to win this tie after largely creating their own problems.

The parity did not last too long, however, when Kane's powerful low effort was palmed out by Zahov and Heung-min Son rifled home past the three defenders stood on the line.

Kane's header made sure of Spurs' qualification  Photo: Getty Images
Getty Images

With 10 minutes to go, the same two players combined - this time Son whipping in a fine cross for Kane and the striker made no mistake, steering the header into the corner.

Spurs had made life difficult for themselves again in Skopje and Mourinho will harbour some concerns. But they are through to the play-off against Maccabi Haifa, with the group stages now within touching distance and that is the only thing that matters for the Portuguese with a tough schedule ahead.