Just two months ago, the future of Tottenham goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky at the club appeared bleak after a disastrous 17-minute Champions League outing against Atletico Madrid in March. The Czech Republic international conceded three goals and was substituted by then-manager Igor Tudor, sparking questions about whether he would ever play for Spurs again.
But on Monday, the 23-year-old produced a stunning save-of-the-season contender to deny Leeds United a late winner, securing a crucial 1-1 draw for Tottenham at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mathys Tel’s 50th-minute strike had given Spurs the lead, but the forward conceded a penalty for a high boot on Ethan Ampadu, which Dominic Calvert-Lewin converted to level the score in the 74th minute.
Both sides pushed for a winner during 13 minutes of added time. Leeds thought they had found it in the 99th minute when James Justin played Sean Longstaff through, and the midfielder unleashed a powerful strike from close range. Enter Kinsky, who stretched to get his fingertips on the ball, deflecting it onto the crossbar and away from danger.
“It’s one of the saves of the season,” said former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher on Sky Sports. “Football is an absolute rollercoaster. Who would have thought he would ever play for Tottenham again? And then he does that. You would have to have a heart of stone not to be delighted for him. Everyone thought his career was over, but that save could be the moment that keeps Tottenham in the Premier League.”
The importance of that save could be immense come the end of the season. For now, it leaves Spurs two points clear of West Ham and the relegation zone with two matches remaining.
Shortly after his nightmare in Madrid, where Spurs lost the last-16 tie 5-2 on aggregate, Tottenham were forced to turn to Kinsky again after first-choice goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario underwent hernia surgery. Kinsky has since started five league matches, recording one win, two draws, and one loss, along with one clean sheet. But the save against Leeds carries implications far beyond personal redemption.
“Kinsky walked around the pitch with his chest out and a massive smile, and rightly so,” said former West Ham defender Matthew Upson on BBC Radio 5 Live. “Massive game from him. He played really well, made good decisions with the ball, and produced some fantastic saves.”
Carragher compared the stop to Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford’s crucial save to deny Sandro Tonali and Newcastle earlier this season.
If Vicario had not been sidelined, Kinsky might never have had this moment. But
