Tottenham vs Atletico Madrid match report: Spurs end Australia tour without a victory after Diego Godin winner

Tottenham 0-1 Atletico Madrid

Atletico Madrid players celebrate Diego Godin's goal in Melbourne on Friday (Getty)

Tottenham Hotspur ended their pre-season tour of Australia as they began it - with defeat - but put on an improved showing against Atletico Madrid on Friday.

Diego Godin's goal shortly before the break seperated the teams in Melbourne - meaning Tottenham finish bottom of the Australia section of the International Champions Cup.

But the displays of a number of the club's youngsters will encourage Mauricio Pochettino as the big kick-off looms.

Having started Tuesday's defeat to Juventus extremely slowly - when they trailed by two after just 20 minutes - the Premier League side came flying out of the blocks at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in their second match Down Under, penning last season's Champions League finalists back for large spells

The returning Christian Eriksen captained the side and tested Jan Oblak with a powerful low effort from outside the area.


 Vincent Janssen impressed in flashes for Tottenham against Atletico Madrid (Getty)

Joshua Onomah smashed against the bar from close range after a corner and Erik Lamela also shot against the post as Spurs dominated the first period.

Lamela's effort came as he burst through the middle after some fine link-play with Vincent Janssen, but as he held off Filipe Luis he could only find the inside of the woodwork with Oblak looking on.

Walkes and Cameron Carter-Vickers put in notable displays at the back for Spurs, particularly against the likes of Fernando Torres.

That failure to translate possession into a goal came back to haunt Mauricio Pochettino's side, as Atletico grew into the game toward the break.


 US international DeAndre Yedlin is tackled by Sime Vrsaliko in Melbourne (Getty)

Eriksen gave away possession just inside the Spurs half with five minute remaining till the break, allowing Thomas Partey to drive toward the penalty area. Harry Winks gave away the free-kick, which Gabi clipped in. Anton Walkes got his head to the ball but could only move it further toward Michel Vorm's goal, where Godin stabbed home from close range.

Pochettino again made changes at half-time, with Ryan Mason, Tom Carroll and Heung-min Son entering the fray as Spurs sought some semblance of reward for their Australian travails.

Tiago went close for Atleti while at the other end Mason fired a powerful effort straight at Oblak after good work from Janssen and Son, and the Korean forward then wasted a free-kick.

Oblak made stops from Janssen and Mason before getting down again to repel a Janssen free-kick. Continued substitutions disrupted any rhythm Spurs hoped to create and they threatened less toward the end, as Saul Niguez and Amath Diedhiou threatened to add a second for the Diego Simeone's side.


 Joshua Onomah was one of a number of youngsters to catch the eye for Tottenham (Getty)

Pochettino remained satisified with his sides' showing, despite a second defeat in the country inside three days. "It was a fantastic performance and a great experience for us," the Argentine said. "I am very happy with this young team. Their goalkeeper was man of the match which says a lot. We finished the game with nine players who have come through the academy - great. The fans here have been fantastic. Their passion has been brilliant. Thank you to them!”

Harry Winks spoke of his impressive showing and his new partnership with summer arrival Victor Wanyama: "I thought we played very well. I really enjoyed it and I want to prove that I can hold my own. Victor is a great guy - he really helps me. It's like having a big brother alongside me in midfield."

Similar tests will await Spurs as they return to the Champions League in the forthcoming season, and they will have to display more of a cutting edge if they are to make an impact.

With a number of first-team regulars returning after various breaks and injuries for next week's final friendly against Internazionale in Norway, Pochettino will hope for a more realistic idea of where Spurs stand ahead of the opening league match of the season at Everton on 13 August.