Football: Tottenham Hotspur 3 - 1 Bodø/Glimt

How costly could that late goal be for Tottenham Hotspur?

The home side delivered one of their most assured displays of the campaign, leaving them just two matches away from ending a trophy drought that stretches back to 2008.

Author - Greg S

Ange Postecoglou’s side made a blistering start, taking the lead after just 38 seconds when Brennan Johnson nodded in from Richarlison’s cushioned header.

James Maddison then doubled the advantage with a touch of class, bringing down Pedro Porro’s long pass and guiding the ball into the far corner with composure.

Dominic Solanke added a third from the penalty spot, coolly converting after Cristian Romero had been brought down in the area.

Bodo/Glimt, known for their high-tempo approach and eye-catching results in recent seasons, were largely second-best. Their only real moment of threat came when Ulrik Saltnes’ deflected strike flew past Rodrigo Bentancur and into the top corner. This was their sole effort on target.

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Spurs’ satisfaction was tempered by second-half injuries to both Maddison and Solanke, casting some doubt over their availability for the return leg.

The trip to the Arctic Circle presents no guarantee of progress. Bodo/Glimt have claimed home victories over Porto, Besiktas, Olympiakos and Lazio in recent European campaigns, and boast a 70 percent home win rate in the Europa League since 2022, compared with just 9 percent away from home.

Elsewhere, hopes of an all-English final in Bilbao remain alive after Manchester United secured a commanding 3-0 win away at Athletic Club.

Still all to play for in Norway

With eight minutes remaining, it seemed Tottenham were finally enjoying the kind of night their supporters had long imagined. The stadium crackled with energy as months of frustration found release in each goal, with Spurs storming into a 3-0 lead over Bodø/Glimt.

Brennan Johnson struck after just 38 seconds to set the tone against the Norwegian champions, who have somehow battled their way to this stage of the competition for the first time. Goals from James Maddison and Dominic Solanke followed, offering what looked like a commanding cushion ahead of next week’s return leg on an artificial pitch deep in the Arctic Circle. Yet, as Kjetil Knutsen’s side have shown throughout this extraordinary campaign, they are never easy to put away.

Despite all of that, even Spurs couldn't throw this away? Surely?