Son Heung-min (33, Tottenham) smiled brightly after a long time.
British 'Sports Bible' reported on the 2nd (Korean time) through official social media that 'injured Son Heung-min smiled while watching the team's victory from the bench.'
Son Heung-min could not participate in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League semifinals for the 2024-2025 season held at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on this day, but he supported the team with a 3-1 victory while keeping the bench in casual clothes.
He was expected to miss the game as he did not appear in the official training the previous day, but throughout the match, he cheered and clapped with teammates like Radu Dragusin, boosting the atmosphere on-site.
Tottenham lined up in a 4-3-3 formation. Richarlison, Dominic Solanke, and Brennan Johnson were positioned at the front, while James Maddison, Rodrigo Bentancur, and Yves Bissouma stood in midfield. Destiny Udogie, Mickey van de Ven, Cristian Romero, and Pedro Porro formed the back four, with Guglielmo Vicario in goal.
The opening goal came just one minute into the match. Johnson finished Richarlison's cross with a header. Following that, a penetrating goal from Maddison and a penalty kick goal from Solanke extended the lead to 3-0.
Injury disrupted Tottenham's momentum. Maddison and Solanke were substituted one after the other in the second half, allowing Bodø/Glimt to score during a lapse in concentration. The match ended with Tottenham securing a 3-1 victory.
After the match, Tottenham shared a photo on social media of Son Heung-min raising both arms in celebration of the goal. The caption accompanying the photo was 'SONNY, our everything.' This expression clearly illustrated the symbolic significance Son Heung-min holds within the team Tottenham.
This match was an important stage for Tottenham's quest for their last trophy. While their performance was good, the applause filling the stadium was particularly directed at one person: Son Heung-min, who was sitting on the bench cheering for the players.
The official UEFA channel highlighted Son Heung-min's reaction after the match, stating 'Although he wasn't on the ground, he was at the center of the team more than anyone else.' One fan noted on social media, 'This is the first time I've seen an injured captain cheer so passionately from the bench.'
Sports Bible explained, 'Son Heung-min's smile was witnessed from the bench. If the team advances to the finals, Son Heung-min hopes to grasp the first trophy of his career.'
As the media explained, if Tottenham can reach the top of the Europa League this season, Son Heung-min will acquire his first official trophy with the team. Although there are still the second leg and one final hurdle to overcome, Son Heung-min's smile shown from the bench already indicated that he has taken the first step toward the final.
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