- LONDON — Spurs have taken a big step closer to ending their 17-year trophy
drought with a 3-1 win over Norwegian side Bodo Glimt at the Tottenham Hotspur
Stadium.
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- The result extended Tottenham's unbeaten run at home in
the Europa League to 14 matches and they will take a two-goal cushion to
Aspmyra next week, where their opponents have achieved six wins from their
seven home fixtures in this season's competition.
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- At the starting whistle, Bodo/Glimt made history by
becoming the first Norwegian team to play in the semi-finals of a UEFA senior
men’s club competition.
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- But it was Tottenham who got off to the ideal start by
taking the lead after just 39 seconds with the fastest goal ever scored in a
Europa League semi-final. Pedro Porro's cross found Richarlison, who was making
only his second start since returning from injury, and the Brazilian nodded on
to Brennan Johnson, who headed in from close range.
Read: Lucas Bergvall signs new six-year contract with Spurs
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- The hosts, on a 19-match unbeaten home run in Europe
stretching back to the 2019/20 Champions League, doubled their lead just after
the half-hour mark. Pedro Porro sent a long ball upfield from inside his own
half, which James Maddison took down, controlled and struck in.
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- With half-time looming, Nikita Haikin, Bodø/Glimt's hero
in their quarter-final penalty shootout success against Lazio, showcased his
flexibility and strength in goal on the big stage once again, athletically
palming away a shot from Rodrigo Bentancur, who had chested the ball and shot
first time.
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- Moments before the interval, the visitors had their best
chance of the half when Ole Didrik Blomberg met a cross from Hauge first time,
but couldn't keep his shot down.
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- The hosts extended their advantage just after the
hour-mark when Fredrik Sjøvold conceded a penalty for a foul on Cristian
Romero, and Dominic Solanke coolly converted his spot kick to score his fourth
of the campaign.
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- Tottenham pushed for a fourth goal, with Bodø/Glimt
players making several key blocks, but it was Norwegian side who struck to
reduce the deficit to two goals. Jeppe Jensen teed up Ulrik Saltnes, who showed
deft footwork to twist his way through a sea of Tottenham shirts and fire in to
get his side onto the scoresheet.