Venue: Kai Tak Stadium, Hong Kong
Date: Thursday, July 31, 2025
Attendance: 49,975
Final Score: Tottenham Hotspur 1 – 0 Arsenal
| Team | 1st Half | 2nd Half | Final Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tottenham Hotspur | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Arsenal | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Tottenham Hotspur claimed bragging rights in a truly historic edition of the North London Derby — the first ever to be played outside the UK — edging past Arsenal 1-0 at the brand-new Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong on Thursday.
In front of a record crowd of 49,975 fans, many of whom were witnessing the legendary rivalry live for the first time, Pape Matar Sarr delivered a moment of magic. The Senegal international struck from an astonishing 45 yards out, lifting the ball over Arsenal keeper David Raya in what turned out to be the decisive goal of the night.
But the goal didn’t come without controversy.
Arsenal players were left fuming, arguing that Richarlison had fouled Myles Lewis-Skelly in the buildup. The referee waved play on, and Sarr capitalized ruthlessly. Gunners captain Martin Ødegaard and Lewis-Skelly voiced their frustration with the officials as the teams headed into halftime.
While the result may not carry the weight of a Premier League fixture, it was a big win for Spurs’ new manager Thomas Frank, who replaced Ange Postecoglou in the summer. For Arsenal, it was a disappointing end to their preseason tour of Asia.
Early Action & Missed Chances
Arsenal started brightly, with William Saliba going close in the 4th minute, heading just wide from an early corner. But that was as good as it got for Mikel Arteta’s side in the first half. Tottenham began to dominate the set pieces, hitting the woodwork three times before the break.
Pedro Porro, Wilson Odobert, and Richarlison all came close, with Odobert’s deflected shot off Ben White narrowly missing. The pressure eventually paid off in the 43rd minute — and Sarr’s long-range screamer stunned everyone in the stadium.
Second-Half Push from Arsenal
The second half saw Arsenal push hard for an equalizer. Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz linked up well, but the Brazilian couldn’t find the target. Leandro Trossard and Martín Zubimendi came off the bench to inject more urgency, but Tottenham’s backline held strong.
The crowd erupted late in the second half when two fan favorites finally stepped onto the pitch: new €73M Arsenal signing Viktor Gyökeres and Spurs legend Son Heung-Min. Unfortunately for Arsenal, Gyökeres couldn’t provide the spark they needed in the final 13 minutes.
Trossard’s substitution shortly after with a knock added to Arsenal’s frustrations, and despite dominating possession, they couldn’t break down Spurs’ compact defense.
What’s Next?
Arsenal now return to London to prepare for the start of the new season, likely reflecting on missed chances and refereeing decisions. Tottenham, meanwhile, head to South Korea for another preseason showdown, this time against Newcastle United — with some momentum and confidence in tow.
And for fans in Hong Kong, it was a night to remember — history made, a wonder goal witnessed, and a taste of one of football’s most fierce rivalries played out on a global stage.
