Williams-Barnett steals the show against Sydney FC

Nizaar Kinsella - Football reporterWed, July 29, 2026 at 4:06 PM UTC

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Teenage forward Luca Williams-Barnett stole the show in Tottenham's 4-2 penalty shootout win over Sydney FC in a sign of how the club have changed.

The 17-year-old, who started the second half on the left but moved into his favoured attacking midfield position, opted for the first penalty and nonchalantly chipped a panenka down the middle.

It preceded a shootout in which Sydney FC duo Joe Lacey and Alexander Popovic hit the post and had a penalty saved by goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, with Sandro Tonali, debutant Andrew Robertson and Dane Scarlett all scoring to secure victory after a 1-1 draw.

Williams-Barnett stole the show to such an extent that his manager Roberto De Zerbi was describing him as a "precious diamond" after the match.

He added: "We have to work on him in the final third and he must work hard on his physicality. I've worked with a lot of young players in my time and he's a potentially special player."

Williams-Barnett, who joined Spurs from his local club Luton Town, aged 11, hit the crossbar immediately after coming on, giving Sydney captain Rhyan Grant a torrid time after his half-time introduction.

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It was just one of several instances where he drove and shot on goal and he almost provided both Robertson and Tonali with assists.

Spurs legend Ledley King is travelling with the club in New Zealand and now Australia on the pre-season tour and follows the academy closely.

He says Williams-Barnett is "a talent with great ability" but told him to follow Harry Kane's path to show "sheer hard work and determination".

Defender Ben Davies says he plays with "no fear" but highlighted his need to keep improving his decision-making.

Williams-Barnett has played for Spurs throughout pre-season and became the club's youngest player to play in the Carabao Cup, aged 16 years, 11 months and 24 days, when making his competitive debut against Doncaster Rovers last season.

He truly looks like a "precious diamond" and not out of place in men's football.

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Source: “AOL Sports”