Reading 0-2 Tottenham match report, Luka Vuskovic shines on debut with goal and assist
Tottenham Hotspur won their first pre-season fixture of the 2025/26 season under new boss Thomas Frank, as a goal and an assist from 18-year-old Luka Vuskovic saw Spurs beat FC Reading 2-0 in Berkshire.
Thomas Frank will be pleased with how his tenure at Tottenham has kicked off. And for the fans, who had gone two months without watching their team, this was a welcome sight. A new manager in the dugout, a fresh start, and plenty of curiosity around what this ‘Frank-era’ Spurs would look like.
As expected, the Dane fielded two completely different XIs for each half. James Maddison, Manor Solomon, and Dejan Kulusevski were all ruled out due to fitness concerns. Meanwhile, Kota Takai, Archie Gray, Mathys Tel, Wilson Odobert and Richarlison were also absent, for reasons only Thomas Frank would know. There was a silver lining, though, as Lucas Bergvall made his return to the pitch in the second half.
The first half went goalless, but things quickly came to life after the restart.
Let’s have a look at the Reading 0-2 Tottenham match report.
First half: FC Reading 0-0 Tottenham Hotspur
First things first – that black kit looked absolutely brilliant.
As for the football, the game didn’t exactly explode into life, but Spurs started brightly. It wasn’t too far off from how games began under Ange Postecoglou; fast tempo, quick buildup and pressing high. What wasn’t similar, however, was the set-up and formation.
Alfie Devine, who many expected to operate as a central midfielder alongside Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur, instead took on a more advanced role. Often, he found himself right beside Dominic Solanke, creating what looked like a 4-4-2 off the ball and something more like a 4-2-4 in possession, with Brennan Johnson and Mikey Moore pushed up wide.
Spurs did manage to build up some momentum, winning a few early corners. On the other hand, Antonin Kinsky looked very confident with the ball and made some slick passes despite being under pressure.
Reading had the first real scare of the half, when a set piece was nodded toward a seemingly open net. However, Pedro Porro showed good awareness to clear the danger in time.
Cristian Romero was sending in those trademark long balls, particularly aiming for Johnson, though the final product was lacking. Devine then delivered a curling long pass that nearly found Solanke, but the striker couldn’t get the right touch.
Tottenham’s best chance of the half came from a close-range low strike by Pape Matar Sarr, which was well saved by the Reading goalkeeper. Mikey Moore continued to impress on the left, sending in curling crosses that the goalkeeper often had trouble reading.
Right before the break, Porro sent in a long ball from deep, which caught the goalkeeper out, and Romero latched onto it, firing into the side netting from a difficult angle.
With that, the first half came to an end.
Second half: Reading 0-2 Tottenham Hotspur
The second-half XI was completely reshuffled, with Heung-Min Son taking the armband and new signing Mohammed Kudus also stepping in. And it didn’t take long for the impact to show.
Just three minutes in, Spurs struck.
Mohammed Kudus sent in an outswinging corner, which Luka Vuskovic flicked on at the near post. Will Lankshear was fastest to react and nodded home from close range. 1-0 Spurs.
Only minutes later, Luka Vuskovic turned scorer.
Kudus again found space on the left, playing a low cross into the box. It fell kindly to Vuskovic, who placed a perfectly struck left-footed finish into the far corner. It was a tidy goal from the 18-year-old centre-back – not the sort of move you expect from someone in his position, but one he pulled off brilliantly.
From there, Spurs managed the game well. Kudus continued to show exactly why fans were buzzing about his arrival. From that slick mid-air flick to his pace and ability to keep hold of the ball under pressure, he was central to everything good in that half.
Son had a decent chance from the edge of the area but couldn’t keep his shot down. On the right, Kudus and Djed Spence linked up nicely, with one brilliant passage ending in a low cross to Jamie Donley, whose shot was deflected for a corner.
Spence himself then had a golden opportunity after being picked out by a long ball from Bissouma, but his one-on-one effort was denied by a strong save from the Reading keeper.
Reading’s only real effort came in the final few seconds, when Ashqar Ahmed forced Guglielmo Vicario into a full-stretch low save. The resulting corner came to nothing, and the referee blew for full-time.
Spurs Web man of the match: Luka Vuskovic
Takeaways from Reading 0-2 Tottenham
There’s plenty to be optimistic about – but also some clear areas for improvement.
Our biggest takeaway was Dominic Solanke’s decision-making in counters. Time and time again last season, he was sent through on goal only to take a heavy touch or hesitate. It happened a few times again today, and it’s something Thomas Frank will need to address.
One interesting note was Frank’s pre-match admission that he’s still undecided on who will captain the side this season. Most assumed Heung-Min Son would be the obvious choice, but the hesitation suggests Frank is still figuring out where exactly Son fits in. The Korean wasn’t the happiest on the pitch today, and there were a few instances during the game that felt like he was way past his prime.
Worth mentioning, he did those one-twos and transitioned really well with Donley. On a few occasions, he also sent long balls with his first touch using his weak foot, all while on the run – something only Son is arguably capable of doing in the entire Spurs squad.
Still, Son is a club legend. Whatever he decides next, he’s earned that right.
On the flip side – what a find Luka Vuskovic looks to be.
Eighteen years old. First game in a Spurs shirt. One goal. One assist. And both moments weren’t just lucky deflections or half-chances – they were very well-executed.
Whether he remains in defence or is tested in a number six role (which Frank might explore), Tottenham have clearly got their hands on a gem.
What’s next for Spurs?
Spurs now have a week’s rest before heading to Kenilworth Road to face Luton Town away.
After that, the Tottenham squad will set off on their Asian pre-season tour.
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