Ten-Man Tottenham Thrash Copenhagen 4-0 to Edge Closer to Champions League Knockouts

Tottenham Hotspur delivered a statement performance in North London, sweeping aside Copenhagen 4-0 to take a major step toward the Champions League round of 16 — even after playing nearly half an hour with ten men. Brennan Johnson opened the scoring before seeing red, but Thomas Frank’s side responded with remarkable composure, adding three more goals in a display that underlined their European credentials.

The opener came just before the 20-minute mark, when a sloppy Copenhagen pass allowed Rodrigo Bentancur to intercept and set Xavi Simons free. The young Dutchman threaded a perfect through ball for Johnson, who rounded the onrushing Dominik Kotarski and finished expertly from a tight angle.

Spurs could have doubled their advantage before the break as Simons and Randal Kolo Muani combined beautifully, only for the French forward to miss a sitter from point-blank range. The second goal did arrive shortly after the interval, though, when Pedro Porro’s long pass caused chaos in the visitors’ defence. Kolo Muani pressed aggressively, blocked Kotarski’s clearance, and unselfishly squared for Wilson Odobert to slot home.

Johnson’s dismissal in the 57th minute — a studs-up challenge on Marcos López reviewed by VAR — might have shifted the momentum. Instead, it fuelled Tottenham’s intensity. Defender Micky van de Ven stormed from his own half to score a stunning solo third, before Joao Palhinha capped off a brilliant move with a thumping fourth.

Richarlison twice struck the woodwork — including from the penalty spot — but it hardly mattered. Tottenham’s fourth straight home win in Europe keeps them top of their group with one matchday remaining, their progression now all but assured.

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