Among the listless Tottenham Hotspur starting lineup, only Son Heung-min took more than two shots. It was better, but he was unable to prevent a scoreless defeat.

Tottenham Hotspur lost 0-1 to AZ Alkmaar in the first leg of the 2024-2025 UEFA Europa League Round of 16 at the AFAS Stadion in Alkmaar, Netherlands. There is still a possibility of a comeback in the second leg.

Son Heung-min's first shot came in the 16th minute of the first half. When his teammates on the right side broke through the opposing defense and passed it to the center, Son Heung-min took a breather and attempted a mid-range left-footed shot. It hit the defender's body and failed to threaten the goal.

In the 20th minute of the first half, he seemed to have created a cutback situation by passing a good pass to Destiny Udogi, who was penetrating. However, the combination of the two players who had synergy effects when Tottenham was doing well was not threatening at all on this day. All aspects of the offense were like that, but the left line that had been in sync for a relatively long time was also lethargic, which was one of the regrettable points on this day.

The best scoring opportunity came to Son Heung-min in the 31st minute of the first half. Although Son Heung-min had to be surrounded by the opposing defense, he was able to dribble forward while making the opposing defense retreat back because it was a transition situation. However, his shot was blocked by the defense.

In the 34th minute of the first half, he had prepared something with James Maddison in a free kick situation, but their chemistry was not good. After kicker Maddison gave a short pass to Son Heung-min by surprise, it seemed like he was going to continue the play, but their chemistry was not good, and Son Heung-min, who was under pressure from the opposing team, ended up dropping the ball. It was a scene that clearly showed how bad the chemistry was on this day.

In the 7th minute of the second half, Son Heung-min passed the ball back and forth with his teammate in a rare transition situation, and dribbled from the side to the center. It was a special situation, but the shot he kicked with his right foot flew over the goal.

In the end, Son Heung-min only recorded one shot that missed the goal and two shots that hit the defender's body. In the 27th minute of the second half, Son Heung-min was replaced by Dominic Solanke as the attack combination changed.

Son Heung-min was a left winger at the start of the game, and when Wilson Odober was replaced at halftime when Mathis Tell was replaced, he also played at the front. However, he was unable to create synergy with any position or teammate.