Tottenham Hotspur took a significant step towards the UEFA Europa League final with a 3-1 victory over FK Bodø/Glimt in the first leg of their semi-final tie. This result extends Tottenham’s unbeaten home record in European competition to 19 games.
Tottenham Hotspur began the match with an explosive start. Following a possession recovery by Yves Bissouma, Pedro Porro delivered a deep cross that Richarlison headed back across the goal, setting up Brennan Johnson for a header from close range. The goal came just 38 seconds into the game.
James Maddison nearly added a second goal for Tottenham in the sixth minute with a volley that went just over the bar. Bodø/Glimt struggled to create meaningful chances in the first half and had a penalty appeal turned down when Isak Dybvik Maaata went down between Maddison and Destiny Udogie.
Tottenham extended their lead in the 34th minute through James Maddison. Pedro Porro provided another assist with an accurate long ball that Maddison controlled well. Maddison’s subsequent shot was mishit but wrong-footed Nikita Haikin and found the far corner of the net.
Haikin was then forced into a full-stretch save to tip Rodrigo Bentancur’s powerful volley over the bar. Just before halftime, Bodø/Glimt’s Ole Didrik Blomberg directed Maaata’s cross over the goal.
In the second half, Tottenham continued to press. They were awarded a penalty in the 58th minute when Fredrik Sjovold mistimed his clearance and fouled Tottenham captain Cristian Romero. Dominic Solanke converted the penalty, calmly slotting the ball home.
However, Tottenham’s victory was tempered by injuries to key players James Maddison and Dominic Solanke, who both left the game with knocks.
Bodø/Glimt managed to score a crucial away goal in the 83rd minute. Captain Ulrik Saltnes found space in the box, and his shot took a deflection off Rodrigo Bentancur, leaving the Tottenham goalkeeper with no chance.
This late goal gives Bodø/Glimt a glimmer of hope heading into the second leg. Notably, Bodø/Glimt have lost all three of their away legs in this season’s knockout stage but have won all three of their home legs.
