Two months ago, questions swirled around whether Tottenham goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky would ever don the club’s jersey again. The Czech international endured a harrowing 17 minutes in March’s Champions League last-16 tie against Atletico Madrid, shipping three goals before being hauled off by then-manager Igor Tudor.
However, after pulling off one of the season’s finest saves to deny Leeds United a late winner on Monday, securing a vital point for Spurs in their quest to avoid relegation, the 23-year-old may have taken a significant step toward redemption. Mathys Tel put Tottenham ahead with a 50th-minute strike, but he conceded a penalty for a high boot on Ethan Ampadu 24 minutes later, allowing Dominic Calvert-Lewin to slot home the equalizer from the spot at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
In 13 minutes of added time, both sides hunted for a winner. Leeds believed they had found it in the 99th minute when James Justin threaded the ball to Sean Longstaff, who unleashed a powerful close-range effort toward the near post. Kinsky extended fully, getting fingertips to the ball to divert it onto the crossbar and keep it out of the net.
The true impact of that save may only become clear at season’s end, but for now, Spurs sit two points above West Ham United in the relegation zone with two games remaining. “That save is one of the saves of the season,” former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher told Sky Sports. “Football is an absolute rollercoaster. Who would have thought he’d ever play for Tottenham again—and then he does that. You’d need a heart of stone not to be thrilled for him. Everyone thought his career was finished, but that save could be the moment that keeps Tottenham in the Premier League.”