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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Alex Young

Tottenham stars past and present hail Micky van de Ven 'goal that shook the world'

Wondergoal: Micky van de Ven - (AFP via Getty Images)

Tottenham players have hailed Micky van de Ven after the defender's stunning solo goal against Copenhagen.

The flying Dutchman is known for his forays forward, but took things to extremes on Tuesday night.

Picking up the ball on the edge of the Spurs penalty area, the centre-back ran almost 80 yards with the ball as Copenhagen players tried and failed to bring him down, before a thunderous finish inside the near post.

Speaking afterwards, Van de Ven explained: "I started dribbling and thought I would see if they would catch up and they didn't. I was feeling good, and I felt amazing in the sprint, I felt like I could keep going."

Spurs manager Thomas Frank compared his defender to Lionel Messi.

"That could be goal of the season, definitely," Frank said. "It was like Lionel Messi transformed into a centre-back, the way Micky ran through everyone. Fantastic goal."

Former Spurs goalkeeper Joe Hart said the goal "will shake the world."

"Everyone will see that goal, he said, adding: "You'll see that over and over again."

Van de Ven celebrated on Instagram, posting a photo of himself after scoring with the caption: "Well, that was a nice goal."

His team-mates were quick to add to the adulation, with Djed Spence jokingly downplaying the strike with "average goal mate."

Xavi Simons told Van de Ven to "take it easy" and Mathys Tel simple put: "You are crazy."

(Instagram)

Spurs goalkeeper Brandon Austin asked what many are thinking with "Puskas?", referencing the FIFA award for the best goal scored in a calendar year, named after Hungarian great Ferenc Puskas.

Van de Ven's Netherlands team-mates also got in on the act, with Virgil van Dijk replying with a fire emoji, while former Spurs team-mates Ryan Sessegnon and Bryan Gil were quick to add their only congratulations.

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