How a Son Heung-min miss changed seven clubs’ trajectories in football’s wildest butterfly effect

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In May 2024, Tottenham hosted Manchester City with Arsenal’s title hopes hanging in the balance. City led 1-0 when, in the dying embers, Son Heung-Min was played clean through in the 86th minute.

A goal would’ve made it 1-1… and a result that could’ve handed Arsenal the Premier League title.

Son is usually a clinical finisher, but Stephan Ortega saved Son’s shot, and City went on to win 2-0. They secured the title by two points.

“I’m also human,” Son told the Evening Standard, speaking about his costly error after the game. “The keeper made a really good decision and made himself really big.

“But I take the responsibility not to score that big chance for the team, because the team was working really hard and trying to get a good result.”

Little did he know the effect it would have on seven clubs’ futures.

How Son’s miss against Manchester City affected other clubs

Tottenham Hotspur

Son Heung-min’s miss meant Spurs could only obtain Europa League football, which at the time was gutting for Ange Postecoglou and his side.

However, with hindsight in favour, we now know that Spurs would go on to win the Europa League, which ended a 17-year trophy drought at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Had Son scored, the chances are Spurs wouldn’t have had the same path to go on and win that trophy.

Manchester United

This meant that Manchester United faced Spurs in the final of the Europa League – and of course, lost in bitter defeat for Ruben Amorim.

If Son had scored, they would have secured Champions League football and avoided facing the Red Devils, potentially securing silverware for Amorim’s side.

Arsenal

The biggest losers of Son’s miss. Arsenal would’ve won the Premier League title for the first time in 20 years – nothing else to say really – gutting for Mikel Arteta.

Manchester City

Amid the Gunners’ heartbreak, it was a delight for Manchester City. The point meant that the Cityzens did win the Premier League that season.

Had they not, Pep Guardiola may have been sacked – so the miss had massive positive implications at the Etihad.

Aston Villa

Son’s miss allowed Aston Villa to secure Champions League football for the first time since the 1982/83 season.

This had a considerable knock-on effect for Villa, not just from a status perspective, but a financial one. Since they’re now firmly regarded as one of the Premier League’s big boys under Unai Emery.

Chelsea

A Tottenham win could’ve reshuffled the Premier League table and opened a gap for Chelsea to secure a Europa League spot. The miss closed that window, and they had to settle for the Europa Conference League.

Enzo Maresca went on to win this, rebuilding the Blues’ empire with some sensational players, which eventually led to them becoming Club World Cup champions under the Italian.

Real Madrid

Ultimately, this one is a little more player-targeted, but if Manchester City hadn’t won the league, it’s doubtful Rodri would’ve won the Ballon d’Or. Instead, that would have gone to Vinicius Jr of Real Madrid.

Vini was furious at the Ballon d’Or robbery, and many claim that the uproar affected his performances in real life, thus having a direct impact on the Spaniards.

A crazy ripple, all stemming from one miss. Is this the craziest football butterfly effect ever?