Tottenham lose pre-season friendly to Juventus

Matt Stead

Tottenham were defeated 2-1 by Italian champions Juventus in their pre-season friendly at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Spurs, who travelled to Australia without Harry Kane and the remainder of their England contingent but gave starts to new signings Victor Wanyama and Vincent Janssen, trailed 2-0 at half-time.

Dominic Ball was dispossessed in the sixth minute and the mistake was immediately punished when Paulo Dybala struck the opener.

Another error – this time a poorly-cleared corner – enabled Medhi Benatia to nod home the second shortly after.

It was now Juventus’ turn to get caught in midfield and Erik Lamela reacted with a fine finish into the bottom-right corner.