UEL: Tottenham Thrash Bodø/Glimt 3-1 in Europa League Semi-Final

Tottenham takes a commanding 3-1 lead over Bodø/Glimt in the Europa League semi-final first leg. Get the latest score and match highlights.

Tottenham Hotspur took a significant step towards the Europa League final with a convincing 3-1 win over FK Bodø/Glimt in the semi-final first leg. A goal just 38 seconds into the game set the tone for the match, which was played at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.

The fast start was sparked by Yves Bissouma regaining possession, which led to Pedro Porro delivering a deep cross that Richarlison headed back across the goal into the path of Brennan Johnson, who easily nodded the ball home. This impressive start extends Tottenham's unbeaten home run in Europe to 19 games.

Manager Ange Postecoglou likely emphasized the importance of a quick start to his team, but even he might have been surprised by the swift goal. The win puts Tottenham in a favorable position ahead of the second leg in Norway next week. The victory is crucial for Spurs, as reaching the final could secure Champions League football for next season.

The Norwegian champions, Bodø/Glimt, were left stunned by the swift goal, and Tottenham nearly doubled their lead just six minutes later. James Maddison had a volley from Cristian Romero's long ball sail over the top, showcasing the Spurs' early dominance.

Bodø/Glimt struggled to create significant chances in the first 45 minutes, but they did have a minor controversy when Isak Dybvik Maaata was caught between Maddison and Destiny Udogie, sparking a faint penalty claim that was ultimately dismissed.

Dominic Solanke had a promising effort early on, with a rasping strike flying over the bar after a nice touch. However, Tottenham doubled their lead on 34 minutes. Pedro Porro delivered another precise long ball, which James Maddison controlled well before firing a scuffed shot that unexpectedly found its way past Nikita Haikin into the far corner.

The Russian goalkeeper made another impressive save shortly after, tipping Rodrigo Bentancur's sweetly struck volley over the bar. In stoppage time before halftime, Bodø/Glimt had a chance when Ole Didrik Blomberg flicked on a cross, but it wasn't enough to trouble the Spurs defense.

Spurs head to Norway with a first-leg lead ⚪️#UEL pic.twitter.com/0PTwOuhTnk

— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) May 1, 2025

The second half lacked the intensity of the first, but Tottenham were given an opportunity to extend their lead just before the hour mark. Fredrik Sjovold's mistimed clearance hit Spurs captain Cristian Romero, providing the team with a chance to further solidify their advantage.

Bodø/Glimt's captain, Ulrik Saltnes, created space in the box and struck the ball, which heavily deflected off Rodrigo Bentancur on its way into the goal. This goal left a sour taste for Tottenham and provided a glimmer of hope for Bodø/Glimt ahead of the second leg.

The result also highlighted an interesting trend: Bodø/Glimt have lost all three away legs in this season's knockout rounds, while winning all three home legs. This statistic serves as a warning to Tottenham fans, who might feel overly confident after their first-leg win.

Jose Maria Sanchez Martinez awarded the penalty after a swift VAR check, and Dominic Solanke coolly rolled the ball home from the spot. The win was unfolding smoothly for Tottenham, but the team's night took a slight turn with the departures of James Maddison and Solanke, both of whom limped off the field. It is hoped that their exits were precautionary.

Tottenham's evening took another slight hit with seven minutes remaining when Bodø/Glimt finally managed their first shot on target, providing a glimmer of hope for the Norwegian side.