Tottenham were handed a gift of an own goal to open their European campaign when Villarreal goalkeeper Luiz Junior made a horrendous hash of an attempt to stop the hosts in their first Champions League tie.
The north London side are back at Europe’s top table on the heels of ending their trophy drought with last season’s Europa League triumph, with Spurs beating Manchester United in Bilbao to secure their spot in the league phase draw.
Under then-manager Ange Postecoglou, European qualification otherwise looked out of reach, as the team stumbled to a 17th-placed finish in the Premier League.
But with a chance to contest for ultimate European honours this term, Tottenham got their tournament off on the right note – with a helping hand from the opposition.
Not four minutes had passed when teen talent Lucas Bergvall stole down the right flank, sending in a good-looking cross to waiting team-mate Richarlison in the box.
But while the Brazilian stretched to poke the ball in, Luiz Junior managed to intercept it – only to spill his catch and watch helplessly as the ball drifted into the exposed net.
Luiz Junior was at fault for the only goal in Villarreal’s clash with Tottenham in north London
Lucas Bergvall reaped the rewards after sending in a good-looking cross that outfoxed the visiting goalkeeper
On commentary for Amazon Prime, Alan Shearer could scarcely believe what he had seen.
‘The ‘keeper comes out and makes an absolute hash of it,’ the Newcastle legend said. ‘What a gift for Tottenham.
‘The ‘keeper has a nightmare. What a gift.’
Noting the chants of ‘ole’ from the crowd, the Match of the Day pundit commented that the goalkeeper would ‘get that all day’ from the home faithful.
Luiz Junior was making his European debut for the club, with Shearer adding that he would ‘never, ever forget’ the mistake.
Fans on social media offered similarly savage criticisms of the shotstopper, with some comparing Luiz Junior to Manchester United loanee Andre Onana.
‘He did an Onana,’ one fan mocked.
Another added: ‘Onana in disguise?’
United outcast Onana last week booked a loan move to Turkish Super Lig side Trabzonspor, but was unable to escape his woes between the sticks.
Onana was responsible for letting in another shot to lose his opening match against rivals Fenerbahce 1-0.
Thomas Frank’s side clung onto their lead through the second-half to keep a clean sheet and record their first win in the Champions League since 2022.
