De Ligt’s Late Header Earns United 2-2 Draw At Tottenham
Matthijs de Ligt’s 96th-minute header rescued Manchester United from defeat, cancelling out what had looked like a stoppage-time winner from Richarlison as Tottenham Hotspur and United battled to a dramatic 2-2 draw in north London on Saturday night. The pulsating clash — a rematch of last season’s Europa League final — appeared to be heading the way of Ruben Amorim’s resurgent United after Bryan Mbeumo gave them a first-half lead, only for late drama on both ends to leave the spoils shared. Mbeumo struck against his former manager Thomas Frank in the 32nd minute, heading home after Amad Diallo created the opening. The goal silenced the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and drew boos from home fans at the break, with Spurs having managed just three league wins at home in 2025. Tottenham showed more fight in the second half, though, as substitutes Wilson Odobert and Mathys Tel combined to level the match in the 84th minute — Tel hammering home a fierce finish after Odobert’s cross. When Richarlison deflected in Odobert’s shot in the first minute of added time, Frank appeared on course for a much-needed home victory in his fifth month in charge. But United refused to give up. With virtually the final action of the game, Bruno Fernandes swung in a precise corner and De Ligt rose highest, powering a header past Guglielmo Vicario to snatch a point for the visitors and stretch their unbeaten run under Amorim to five games. Both sides had seven players remaining from their Europa League meeting in Bilbao, and United — coming off a strong run of form following a rough September — started brightly. Early on, Xavi Simons carved open the United defence to find Brennan Johnson, who delivered a brilliant cross that Richarlison could only divert wide off his shoulder. Moments later, at the other end, Matheus Cunha tested Spurs’ defence but saw his effort deflected narrowly wide by Pape Sarr. United eventually made their pressure count when Sarr’s sloppy pass put Micky van de Ven in trouble. The visitors recycled the ball smartly and Amad picked out Mbeumo, who escaped Pedro Porro’s marking to nod beyond Vicario. Spurs improved after the interval, with Senne Lammens twice denying Romero and João Palhinha in quick succession. Frank’s tactical switches paid off when Odobert and Udogie combined to set up Tel’s thunderous equaliser, igniting hope of a comeback win. Even after Benjamin Sesko limped off, leaving United down to 10 men, Tottenham pressed on and thought they’d secured victory through Richarlison’s clever flick — only for De Ligt’s stoppage-time strike to flip the script once again. In a match full of momentum swings, late goals, and high drama, both teams left with reasons for frustration and relief — Spurs still searching for consistency at home, and United proving under Amorim that their fighting spirit remains intact.
