Daniel Munoz scores stunning winner as Colombia stun Spain in London friendly
Crystal Palace defender Daniel Munoz scored a stunning first international goal as Spain’s build-up to Euro 2024 began with a surprise 1-0 defeat by Colombia.
Right-back Munoz acrobatically converted Luis Diaz’s cross in the 61st minute to earn his side a morale-boosting result moving towards this summer’s Copa America in the United States.
Three-time European champions Spain enjoyed plenty of possession at the London Stadium but lacked a cutting edge as their eight-match winning run ended.
Former Real Madrid man James Rodriguez played an instrumental role in his country’s success, which stretched their unbeaten run to 20 games, after coming off the bench following a forgettable first half.
Spain will look to bounce back on Tuesday night when they host Brazil at the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid.
The Spanish – unfamiliar in yellow shirts against a nation renowned for wearing them – opted to leave influential Manchester City midfielder Rodri on the bench for the evening, while Liverpool’s Diaz captained Colombia.
Luis de la Fuente’s side started in the ascendancy but without seriously threatening in a tight opening period of few chances.
Athletic Bilbao defender Daniel Vivian nodded narrowly over on his international debut following a fine cross from Alex Grimaldo, who earlier fired straight at opposition goalkeeper Camilo Vargas.
Colombia, backed by a sizeable support at the home of West Ham, were aggressively pressed by a team monopolising possession.
Mateo Cassierra forced a save out of Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya following a well-worked free-kick routine but the South Americans were restricted to little as they largely sought opportunities to counter.
Colombia manager Nestor Lorenzo turned to James in search of a much-needed spark for the second period, while Spain keeper Raya was replaced by debutant Alex Remiro of Real Sociedad.
Lorenzo’s men improved significantly after the restart, albeit Vargas had to be alert to deny Gerard Moreno a 49th-minute opener.
Minutes after skying well over when well placed, ex-Everton player James played a key role in what proved to be the winner.
His fine pass released Diaz down the left and, after twisting and turning Vivian, the skipper delivered an inviting centre which bounced before Munoz, winning his 24th cap, dispatched the ball high into Remiro’s net with an eye-catching scissor kick.
The thumping finish sparked wild scenes of celebration among the healthy Colombian contingent in a crowd of more than 43,000.
Spain introduced striker Alvaro Morata as part of a triple change.
But they could not find a leveller as they slipped to a first defeat since a shock 2-0 European Championship qualifying loss to Scotland last March.
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Tottenham's 2023/24 squad: Keep, sell, loan or release this summer
Tottenham enjoying first season under head coach Ange Postecoglou
Greek-Australian has admitted he wants to see more squad turnover in next few transfer windows
The players Spurs should keep, sell, loan and release this summer
By Sean Walsh
12:00 AM GMT
Tottenham have some key decisions to make
Tottenham have some key decisions to make / Richard Pelham/GettyImages
If you asked a fan of Tottenham Hotspur to sum up their 2023/24 season so far, the answer you'd be most likely to receive would be 'vibes'.
Spurs are an entirely different club to where they were a year ago when Antonio Conte threw his toys out of the pram in a hypocritical rant about home truths.
Ange Postecoglou and the club's renewed vision means there's positivity about N17 again, but the work isn't done just yet.
Tottenham have made great strides this year, but they still need to trim the fat from their squad and decide who should stay and who should go.
Here's what we would do...
KEEP
James Maddison, Son Heung-min
The faces of new Spurs / Visionhaus/GettyImages
GK: Guglielmo Vicario - Surpassed every expectation placed on him since replacing club stalwart Hugo Lloris. The first of several no-brainers on this list.
GK: Fraser Forster - Tottenham could probably do with a more reliable deputy to Vicario, but Forster is the perfect third-choice goalkeeper.
DEF: Pedro Porro - Completely rewritten the narrative surrounding him this season, even if the original was penned by the unreliable Tim Sherwood.
DEF: Cristian Romero - Yet to receive a booking for Spurs in 2024. That's character development right there.
DEF: Radu Dragusin - Looked off the pace since his January move from Genoa, but is still adjusting to the faster tempo of the Premier League.
DEF: Micky van de Ven - Few players in world football have been more impressive in every minute they've spent on the pitch this season than Van de Ven. If only he could stay fit.
DEF: Ben Davies - An understated leader whose versatility has proven useful. No need to sell.
DEF: Destiny Udogie - Already one of the very best players in his position in the Premier League after only one season.
MID: Oliver Skipp - Used sparingly by Postecoglou this season, but Tottenham aren't in a position to just get rid of every homegrown player they have, particularly upon their return to UEFA competition next year.
MID: Yves Bissouma - Unplayable during the first few months of the Postecoglou era but has dropped off since. Needs to improve his concentration and maturity to keep his spot in the long-term.
MID: Pape Matar Sarr - Establishing himself as a core figure under Postecoglou. Spurs collectively lose half a step when he's not in the team.
MID: Rodrigo Bentancur - Spurs have intimated it's unlikely Bentancur will reach full fitness again after his ACL injury until next season. Put in some fine performances in the meantime.
MID: James Maddison - The only player of his kind in the squad and one Tottenham have lacked for years.
FWD: Dejan Kulusevski - Lacks the pace of a traditional Postecoglou winger but his capability of fitting in across the frontline and in midfield make him extremely useful.
FWD: Brennan Johnson - Bought with a clear role in mind - get to the byline, hook in crosses and get to the last line to convert them. Done those jobs well to this point.
FWD: Son Heung-min - There's a better chance of Tottenham selling Chirpy the club mascot than their captain. Needs to be tied down to a new contract with his deal up in 2025.
FWD: Richarlison - Still divides opinion to this day, but there aren't many capable backups to Son who are effective out wide and up top. Spurs can't afford to let an asset like that go.
LOAN
Alfie Dorrington, Jamie Donley
Donley and Dorrington are sniffing around the first team / Bryn Lennon/GettyImages
DEF: Ashley Phillips - Impressing out on loan at Plymouth Argyle despite their alarming form. Another spell on loan higher up the Championship table would benefit the centre-back.
DEF: Alfie Dorrington - A fearless ball-playing defender at youth level that now needs to try his game in the adult world.
MID: Jamie Donley - Proven a little bit of a s***house in his scarce first-team minutes this season. Clearly talented and like Dorrington needs to test himself in the adult game.
MID: Alfie Devine - Every year Tottenham fans clamour to see Devine in the first team, and every year they're limited to glimpses in pre-season. Like Plymouth teammate Phillips, needs a loan at a higher standard.
MID: Lucas Bergvall - Postecoglou has declared he wants to see the 18-year-old Swede in pre-season before deciding on his next move. It's likely Bergvall will be loaned out unless he's an Andres Iniesta regen immediately.
FWD: Yago Santiago - Another star of Tottenham's successful youth teams. You guessed, he needs real minutes.
FWD: Alejo Veliz - Sending the highly-rated Veliz on loan to Sevilla on deadline day of the January window is looking stranger by the day with the Argentine out of favour already. Could do with a loan in England to get used to the physicality.
SELL
Pierre Hojbjerg
Hojbjerg nearly left last summer / Visionhaus/GettyImages
GK: Alfie Whiteman - Emerged as a Tottenham cult hero for his refreshing character off the pitch, but his footballing career is going nowhere.
DEF: Emerson Royal - Subject to interest from Saudi Arabia in January. Should definitely be shifted and replaced with a younger option (or Kyle Walker-Peters, which is the answer simply too obvious to happen).
DEF: Djed Spence - Claimed recently he's not giving up on his Tottenham career, but Postecoglou did not take a shining to him last summer.
DEF: Japhet Tanganga - Finally enjoying some game-time free from injury on loan at Millwall. The path back to a first-team place at Spurs seems rather congested, however.
DEF: Joe Rodon - A good defender, a good player. Never one to completely crap his pants in a Tottenham shirt. Just not of the standard matching Spurs' ambitions, nothing personal at all. Go well, Joe.
DEF: Sergio Reguilon - Has far too many lapses in concentration for Tottenham to keep trying to persist with. Brentford, where he is on loan right now, is about his level.
DEF: Ryan Sessegnon - Poor Sess, what could have been if not for injuries. Was on the cusp of an England call-up at the start of last season and the talent is there, but needs a fresh start in a new environment.
MID: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg - Tottenham nearly sold the Dane last summer and it'd be quite a shock if that stance changes for this.
MID: Tanguy Ndombele - Forget about him? The Ndombelivers didn't. The Ndombelievers never will. I have, though. He's got to go.
MID: Giovani Lo Celso - A decent player in Postecoglou's system but simply can't stay fit and Spurs can't afford to rely on him.
FWD: Bryan Gil - Tricky and technical, though undersized to make a success of himself in the Premier League.
FWD: Manor Solomon - Signed on a free transfer, did little to stake a claim before successive serious injuries, and can be flipped for decent profit. The case against Solomon will be expanded on in another section.
FWD: Dane Scarlett - Unsuccessful out on two loan spells and now being kept effectively as an emergency reserve. No point keeping him much longer.
FWD: Troy Parrott - Won't make it at Tottenham but has turned enough heads out on loan at Dutch side Excelsior that offers should come in this summer.
THE SPECIAL TIMO WERNER CATEGORY
Timo Werner
Werner wants to stay / James Gill - Danehouse/GettyImages
FWD: Timo Werner - Tottenham can make Werner's loan from RB Leipzig permanent for £15m, and though that's a snip in today's market, they should resist that temptation. If Spurs are serious about building a team contending for titles in the near future, they can't keep stacking their squad with players who aren't good enough or never will be (see: Solomon). Werner has shown he is the kind of profile Tottenham need, but with more quality.
RELEASE
Brandon Austin
Farewell, Brandon / Neal Simpson/Allstar/GettyImages
GK: Brandon Austin - Somehow the only senior player with a contract expiring this summer.
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