On June 1, 2019, Tottenham Hotspur faced Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League final at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid. Liverpool secured a 2-0 victory, clinching their sixth European Cup/Champions League title.
Key Statistics and Analysis
- Scoreline and Goal Timings:
- Tottenham Hotspur: 0
- Liverpool: 2 (Mohamed Salah 2′ (pen.), Divock Origi 87′)
- Possession:
- Tottenham had 65% possession, while Liverpool had 35%. Despite having more possession, Tottenham struggled to break down Liverpool’s organized defense and create clear-cut chances.
- Shots:
- Tottenham registered 16 shots, with 8 on target, reflecting their attempts to find a breakthrough. Liverpool had 14 shots, with 3 on target, showing a lower volume but higher efficiency in taking their chances.
- Passing Accuracy:
- Tottenham displayed a passing accuracy of 83%, completing 562 passes out of 677 attempts. Liverpool had a lower passing accuracy at 65%, completing 283 passes out of 438 attempts. Liverpool’s strategy focused more on counter-attacking and less on maintaining possession.
- Defensive Statistics:
- Tottenham made 14 tackles, while Liverpool made 20, indicating Liverpool’s robust defensive effort to disrupt Tottenham’s play. Liverpool committed 14 fouls, compared to Tottenham’s 10, reflecting their aggressive defensive stance.
- Set Pieces:
- Liverpool’s first goal came from a penalty awarded for a handball by Moussa Sissoko in the opening minutes, converted by Mohamed Salah. This early goal set the tone for Liverpool’s defensive approach, allowing them to sit deeper and absorb pressure.
- Individual Performances:
- Mohamed Salah was pivotal, converting the early penalty with composure. Divock Origi, coming off the bench, sealed the win with a clinical finish late in the game. For Tottenham, Hugo Lloris made crucial saves, but the team’s attacking players struggled to break through Liverpool’s defense.
- Tactical Overview:
- Liverpool utilized a 4-3-3 formation, focusing on quick transitions and solid defensive organization. Tottenham, using a 4-2-3-1 formation, aimed to control possession and create openings, but were often stifled by Liverpool’s compact and disciplined defensive structure.
- Disciplinary:
- The match was relatively clean, with only two yellow cards issued, both for Liverpool (Fabinho 74′, Sadio Mané 88′). These were tactical fouls aimed at breaking up play and preventing Tottenham from building momentum.
- Corners and Offsides:
- Tottenham won 8 corners compared to Liverpool’s 2, highlighting their territorial advantage and attacking pressure. Both teams were caught offside twice, reflecting disciplined defensive lines and attempts to exploit gaps.
Summary
Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the UEFA Champions League final was characterized by an early penalty and solid defensive resilience. Mohamed Salah’s penalty in the 2nd minute gave Liverpool an early lead, allowing them to adopt a more defensive approach. Tottenham, despite dominating possession, struggled to penetrate Liverpool’s defense and create clear scoring opportunities. Divock Origi’s late goal secured the win, capping off a clinical performance by Liverpool.
The match highlighted Liverpool’s effective game management and defensive organization, while Tottenham’s inability to convert possession into goals underscored their struggles in breaking down well-organized defenses. This victory marked Liverpool’s sixth Champions League title, cementing their status as one of Europe’s elite clubs.
