Tottenham Hotspur beat Shkendija 3-1 in the second qualifying round of the Europa League after a tough battle in North Macedonia. 

Erik Lamela put Spurs into the lead within four minutes, but Shkendija stayed in the game, and they cashed in just after half-time with a fantastic strike from Valmir Nafiu. 

Jose Mourinho's side upped the intensity and Heung Min-Son and Harry Kane  got on the scoresheet again to put Spurs into the next round of the Europa League, where they face Maccabi Haifa at home.

  • Story of the game 

Mourinho opted to keep the theme of fielding strong teams in these fixtures – Son, Toby Alderweireld, Dele Alli and Tanguay Ndombele all starting the match.

Joe Hart was opted ahead of Paulo Gazzaniga to make his debut for Spurs. 

Unlike last week, Tottenham came out firing and got the lead within four minutes.

Son, crowded by Shkëndija defenders, danced and weaved his way around before releasing Lamela who had all the time in the world to slot home with his right foot. 

The Argentine wheeled away, celebrating a rare goal - his last coming in January against Middlesbrough in the FA Cup. 

The game, to no surprise, had a rather slow tempo but Spurs had two quickfire chances in the first-half which both should’ve been converted into goals. 

Firstly, Son’s delightfully whipped corner was met by Alderweireld’s towering header, but it flew past just past the post. 

Before Shkëndija had a chance to catch their breath, Spurs ramped it up again.

Steven Bergjiwjn played in the arriving Aurier who played the ball back across to Dele, but the 24-year-old could only sting the palms of the goalkeeper from point-blank range. 

Shkëndija huffed and puffed, and despite putting together some nice passing combinations, never looked to danger the debutant Hart in the first half.

The game was always alive with the scores being one apart, and this would’ve been the first thing in Mourinho’s thoughts heading to the dressing room at half-time.

This came to fruition in the 55th minute. After Tottenham looked to be in complete control, Nafui found some space and was not closed down by Ben Davies and Alderweireld.

He took a touch, measured himself, and out of nowhere - plucked an absolute beauty into the top corner. 

The stunning goal was met by mass celebration from Shkëndija, and deep concerns from Tottenham’s camp that they very much in for another tough challenge away in Europe.

This desperation forced Mourinho into a double substitution – opting to bring on Giovani Lo Celso and Kane. 

Spurs upped the tempo and had two massive chances to put themselves in front.

Ndombele played a beautiful through ball to the chasing Serge Aurier, and the 27-year-old chipped in a ball which should’ve been met by Lamela’s second goal of the night, but he skewed his header wide.

Kane then missed the next chance, failing to guide Aurier’s left-footed cross into the back of the net. 

The goal eventually came in the 70th minute  when Lo Celso split open the defence with his ball to fellow substitute Lucas Moura.

The Brazilian latched onto the pass and his shot was palmed by the goalkeeper, but the follow-up fell to Son. 

He took a touch, and with an onrush of players coming in to make a challenge, the Korean international just got his shot away into the roof of the net.

The sense of relief in the Tottenham camp was clear, the goal easing nerves of a potentially embarrassing exit in the Europa League qualifying rounds. 

Any hopes of a second equaliser were demolished when Son and Kane linked up again. The pair combined fantastically in Southampton, and they were at it again in North Macedonia. 

Son whipped in a teasing curling cross, that was met by Kane who nodded in his 3rd goal of the season. 

The game petered out into nothing and Tottenham ended up cruising into the next round of the qualifying stages.

UNHAPPY HOLIDAYS 

When rivals Arsenal condemned Spurs into playing three qualifying matches, it was looked at with immense disappointment – not because of the difficulty of them, but because they are a headache in terms of travel and injuries.

The latter is not the only problem. Tottenham have found the two qualifying games immensely difficult, both games seeing Spurs just stumble to the finish line. 

Both Shkëndija and Lokomotiv Plovdiv fought hard, defended well in the main, and made life very difficult for two strong Spurs sides.  

They have both pushed Spurs to the very edge – each scoring good goals and falling to late Tottenham blows.

Not only have they flown to Bulgaria and North Macedonia already, but they have been tested to the limit by low-quality sides. 

Luckily, Spurs’ next venture in the Europa League is at their cosy home in North London, Maccabi Haifa the next side to face up to the challenge.  

The winner of the game will then enter  the group stage.

They will hope that they can finally dismantle a team and win with ease – not having to play stars like Son and Kane.

  • NDOMBELE AND LO CELSO 

The two previous summer signings have been at the forefront of all Spurs fans' wishes to play in a pivot together.

They have both shown their talent, especially Lo Celso – but Ndombele has yet to show it consistently. 

The French international started the game and was excellent throughout. His close control and progressive passing never fails to impress – but he showed another side to his game which was frowned upon last season. 

Mourinho has before called out his lack of effort but these statements seem to be long gone, as he has appeared to have weaved his way into Mourinho’s plans. 

He was flying into tackles and tracking back thought the game, while also showing signs of his breath-taking flair -  all while making Spurs tick in midfield.

Lo Celso was then brought on after the equaliser and showed his usual brilliance – but his pairing with Ndombele was what was exciting keen Tottenham viewers. 

The talented midfield duo were constantly providing piercing passes and eventually driving Spurs to a second goal.

The Argentine’s beautifully slipped through ball created the chance for Spurs – which Son eventually put the ball in the back of the net.

Spurs looked immediately a better outfit with these pair on the pitch, and with both impressing – this could make the future very bright for Mourinho’s midfield.