EPL: Spurs late comeback thwarted by perfect Barcelona penalties

Another late California game went to penalty kicks. Barcelona and Spurs took great penalties with the Spanish champions prevailing.

Barcelona begins the International Champions Cup with a shootout win over Tottenham Hotspur at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Barcelona’s two points put them in contention to win the ICC with two games remaining. Tottenham could tie Dortmund with seven points if they win their final match on Tuesday against AC Milan in Minnesota.

The game started and continued with Barcelona dominance. Munir tapped in an early goal to give Barcelona a lead. They commanded the game with their youngsters and new boys on the pitch in the first half. The lead extended to two with this absolute screamer from new signing Arthur. The 21-year old will remember this one for a long time.

Barca seemed destine to waltz through this game with a 2-0 victory. Well, Son-Heung Min decided to change destiny and turn Barca’s waltz upside down. Son brought one back for Spurs around the 73rd minute, breathing life for Pochettino and Tottenham.

Just seconds after Son’s goal, he went back upfield and tried to score another one, only to have it cleared off the line. It was cleared into the path of Georges N’Koudou and Spurs had tied the game in a span of a minute and a half.

It would be yet another penalty shootout to decide the winner in an ICC match. It was the third of the day and the sixth of the competition. Entering the shootout, EPL clubs were 2-1 in penalties thus far. Spurs and Barca were trading penalties like it was nothing. Jasper Cillessen and Michel Vorm weren’t saving anything.

The shootout changed on Tottenham’s third kick. 21-year old Cypriot Anthony Georgiou had his spot-kick saved by the Dutch keeper Cillessen, giving Barca the edge. They would not squander this. Newest signing Malcom stepped up to take the winning penalty and put it in the back of the net with authority.

La Liga teams are 2-0 on penalties at the ICC, with Real Madrid still to make their ICC debut. The champions of Europe will play Manchester United on Tuesday in Miami to begin the tournament. Lyon is the only other team yet to play. They will debut on Wednesday at Benfica in Portugal.

After 12 teams played in an exciting day of ICC football, Borussia Dortmund still holds their lead atop the table. Liverpool and Juventus edged closer while Arsenal and Spurs are tied on four points. PSG and Roma sit as the only clubs with zero points.