Tottenham 2 - Manchester United 2

De Ligt rescues United and breaks Tottenham’s hearts

A last-gasp goal from the Dutch defender salvaged a draw for Manchester United after Richarlison thought he’d won it in stoppage time.

BEN STANSALL

Xavi Heras

Update: Nov 8th, 2025 11:08 EST

What a finish. Two goals in added time injected the excitement and intensity that had been missing for the previous 90 minutes. Richarlison headed home a deflected shot from Odobert in the 91st minute, celebrating as if he’d sealed the victory. But five minutes later, the Brazilian was on his knees as De Ligt appeared at the far post to head in a corner on the final play of the match. A draw — and a huge sigh of relief. Five minutes of drama rescued what had been a forgettable afternoon.

Slow start in London

Both teams started sluggishly, trying to shake off the sleepiness. The opening half-hour was one to forget — no intensity, no precision, and no shots on target. Then, a chaotic defensive lapse from Tottenham gifted United the breakthrough. A series of ricochets, failed clearances, and bad positioning produced a sequence that looked more like a sketch from The Benny Hill Show than a Premier League match. United kept lumping crosses into the box until Diallo controlled one on the wing and floated it to the far post, where Mbeumo — completely unmarked — nodded it home with ease.

Spurs fans not happy

The boos that followed last week’s defeat to Chelsea returned at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as both sides went into halftime. After the break, the hosts found another gear but still lacked accuracy. Romero had a golden chance in the 54th minute but fired straight at Lammens. The Belgian goalkeeper then denied Palhinha’s volley two minutes later.

Around the hour mark, Tottenham thought they had equalized — only for the flag to go up. Richarlison passed to Johnson, who was offside, instead of to the wide-open Odobert. Johnson scored, but the goal didn’t count. A clear warning for United. Amorim responded with a triple substitution that allowed the visitors to control possession, slow the tempo, and frustrate the home crowd. Brentford’s Thomas Frank countered with changes of his own, bringing on Tel, who equalized just five minutes later. Receiving a low cross from Udogie, he spun brilliantly past De Ligt and fired high into the net.

Tottenham take the lead

Tottenham grew in confidence, believing the comeback was on — especially after Van de Ven’s heroic sliding challenge on Sesko, who was through on goal. It was sensational defending, but costly: Sesko was injured on the play, forcing United to finish with ten men after Amorim had used all his substitutions.

The home side pushed forward, buoyed by six minutes of stoppage time. United retreated, clinging to their point. Then came the blow. Odobert’s shot from the edge of the box was redirected by Richarlison’s glancing header into the net. The stadium erupted — shirts off, hugs everywhere, pure ecstasy. Tottenham had just jumped into second place.

But the joy didn’t last. In the game’s very last action, De Ligt rose at the back post to nod in a corner and secure a 2-2 draw. Relief for United, heartbreak for Spurs.

1 Guglielmo Vicario
17 Cristian Romero (87')
24 Diop Spence
23 Pedro Porro (66')
37 Mickey van de Ven
9 Richarlison
7 Xavi Simons (78')
22 Brennan Johnson
29 Pape Sarr
6 João Palhinha (78')
39 Randal Kolo Muani (45')
Substitutes
76 James Rowswell
11 Mathys Tel (78')
28 Wilson Odobert (45')
70 Yusuf Akhamrich
4 Kevin Danso (87')
31 Antonín Kinsky
13 Iyenoma Destiny Udogie (66')
44 Dane Scarlett
30 Rodrigo Bentancur (78')

31 Senne Lammens
5 Harry Maguire (71')
23 Shaw
4 Matthijs de Ligt
3 Noussair Mazraoui (57')
13 Patrick Dorgu (79')
18 Casemiro (71')
8 Bruno Fernandes
10 Matheus Cunha (71')
19 Bryan Mbeumo
16 Amad Diallo Traore
Substitutes
25 Manuel Ugarte (71')
26 Ayden Heaven
1 Altay Bayindir
11 Joshua Zirkzee
30 Benjamin Sesko (87')
7 Mason Mount (71')
38 Jack Fletcher
2 Diogo Dalot (79')
15 Leny Yoro (71')

Substitutions

Wilson Odobert (45', Randal Kolo Muani), Benjamin Sesko (57', Noussair Mazraoui), Destiny Udogie (66', Pedro Porro), Manuel Ugarte (71', Casemiro), Leny Yoro (71', Harry Maguire), Mason Mount (71', Matheus Cunha), Mathys Tel (78', Xavi Simons), Rodrigo Bentancur (78', João Palhinha), Diogo Dalot (79', Patrick Dorgu), Kevin Danso (87', Cristian Romero)

Goals

0-1, 31': Bryan Mbeumo, 1-1, 83': Mathys Tel, 2-1, 90': Richarlison, 2-2, 95': Matthijs de Ligt

Cards

Referee: Samuel Barrott
VAR Referee: John Brooks, Tony Harrington
Brennan Johnson (28',Yellow), Cristian Romero (33',Yellow), João Palhinha (74',Yellow), Patrick Dorgu (77',Yellow), Richarlison (91',Yellow), Kevin Danso (96',Yellow)