Newcastle and Tottenham met for a friendly in Melbourne, Australia just days after the Premier League season ended.
Both sides jetted off on Sunday and had to acclimatise quickly before heading out onto Melbourne Cricket Ground’s converted pitch.
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Spurs and the Magpies lined up strong to start with and it was James Maddison who opened the scoring with some quick footwork before smashing home with his weaker left foot.
But Newcastle responded just before half-time through Alexandar Isak, who was on hand to tap home a rebound from Miguel Almiron.
The Paraguay international forced Brandon Austin into a low save and it came back out to the Swedish striker who reacted quickly to tie the match.
In the second half, both teams made several changes which killed the momentum of the match.
It ended 1-1 but fans were treated to a penalty shootout, which was won by the Tynesiders after Bryan Gil missed his spot-kick for Spurs.
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How it happened
Although it was just a friendly matchup between two Premier League sides, it had the feeling of an intense league game.
Both teams had named a strong starting XI and were clearly going for the win and it was finely poised for the opening 30 minutes.
Spurs captain Heung-Min Son was on fine form out on the left, more than once picking the ball up and driving at former team-mate Kieran Trippier.
Alongside him, Maddison looked back to his best after struggling in the final few months of the season and he was pulling the strings in the heart of the Tottenham midfield.
Postecoglou’s side had an early penalty shout waved away as Son took a shot that appeared to hit a Newcastle hand, but the referee was not convinced and let play continue.
Maddison then went close, striking from outside the box but just missing the target, although Nick Pope’s positioning suggested the Newcastle goalkeeper had it covered anyway.
Eventually, the North London club found a breakthrough.
Melbourne magic from @Madders10 🪄
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) May 22, 2024
Maddison intercepted a poor pass from Pope in his own box and danced through a number of challenges from the opposition defenders before firing into the roof of the net with his left foot.
Newcastle wanted a free-kick as they thought the England international had handballed it during the move, but the goal stood.
It was nearly 2-0 moments later as Son fired in a cross that Brennan Johnson met but Pope redeemed himself by making a huge save to prevent the easy tap-in from the Welshman.
The Magpies equalised just before the break through Isak.
The in-form Swede was there to put the ball into an empty net after Almiron’s first effort was pushed back out by Austin and into his path.
There were plenty of changes from both sides in the second half, including Son, who was booed out of disappointment for his withdrawal before the Melbourne crowd eventually gave him a cheer.
Emerson Royal did well to play Yago Santiago in down the right and his cross found Dane Scarlett, but the young striker’s diving header just missed the target.
The Englishman had another opportunity moments later but again could not keep his shot within the frame, this time it was Alfie Devine who teed him up.
More chances came for Spurs through Royal and Jamie Donley, while Newcastle looked dangerous themselves on the counter-attack.
With neither side able to find a winner, the match ended as a draw but a penalty shootout was provided to decide a winner.
Bryan Gil missed Tottenham’s first penalty and everyone else scored, meaning Newcastle took the spoils Down Under.
The Mags win Down Under in game one of Global Football Week! 😍🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/eNIbC0rD8J
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) May 22, 2024
What next?
With the season finally over for Newcastle and Spurs, some of their players can have a well-earned rest over the summer.
But plenty of them will be jetting straight off to join up with their national teams.
Euro 2024 is less than a month away while the Copa America is also taking place this summer.
Players will return to their clubs in July to prepare for the 2024-25 Premier League season.
It will be an exciting campaign for both teams, with Spurs competing in the Europa League and Newcastle in the Europa Conference League unless Manchester United should win the FA Cup final.
