In a dramatic turn of events, Tottenham Hotspur faced off against Bodø/Glimt in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League semi-finals on May 2, 2025, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. Despite the absence of their star captain Son Heung-min due to an ongoing foot injury, Spurs managed to secure a convincing 3-1 victory, putting them in a favorable position for the return leg in Norway on May 9.
Son Heung-min's injury saga has been a significant concern for Tottenham fans. Initially sidelined after a rough tackle during the Europa League quarter-final against Frankfurt on April 12, his recovery has taken longer than expected. Tottenham's head coach, Ange Postecoglou, confirmed that Son would not be participating in the semi-final match, stating, "(Son Heung-min) will not be playing in tomorrow's game. He is still absent from training. I hope his recovery progresses well, and he won't be out for much longer." This news comes as a disappointment, especially with the World Cup qualifiers on the horizon.
As for the match itself, Tottenham wasted no time in establishing dominance. They scored their opening goal less than a minute into the game, showcasing their determination and skill. Hissam Ri Song headed the ball to Brennan Johnson, who deftly found the back of the net, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
In the 34th minute, Tottenham doubled their lead thanks to a brilliant effort from James Maddison. After receiving a precise pass from Pedro Porro, Maddison executed a composed turning shot inside the penalty box, making it 2-0. The momentum was firmly in Spurs' favor, and they continued to press for more goals.
Just when it seemed that Tottenham was cruising to a comfortable win, the match took a concerning turn in the second half. In the 61st minute, Cristian Romero was fouled in the penalty area, leading to a penalty kick awarded to Tottenham. Dominic Solanke stepped up and calmly converted, extending the lead to 3-0.
However, the game wasn't without its challenges. James Maddison, who had been instrumental in Tottenham's attack, went down without contact and was subsequently substituted by Dejan Kulusevski in the 66th minute. Shortly after, Solanke also showed signs of discomfort and had to leave the pitch, replaced by Wilson Odoiber. These injuries raised alarms among fans and coaching staff alike.
Bodø/Glimt managed to pull one back in the 82nd minute, with Ulrik Saltnes's shot deflecting off a Tottenham defender and slipping past goalkeeper Fraser Forster. This goal provided a glimmer of hope for the Norwegian side, but Tottenham held firm, expertly managing the remaining minutes to secure a 3-1 victory.
With this crucial win, Tottenham is now in a strong position to advance to the Europa League finals. If they can maintain their lead in the second leg, they will have a chance to lift the trophy for the first time in 17 years, having last won an official tournament in the 2007-2008 League Cup.
Looking ahead, the return leg against Bodø/Glimt will be vital. Postecoglou expressed cautious optimism about Son Heung-min's potential return, stating, "I believe Son may be able to play in the second leg." His presence could be pivotal as Tottenham aims to secure their place in the finals and end their trophy drought.
As the team prepares for the next matchup, fans will be hoping for a swift recovery for their captain. In the meantime, the squad's depth and resilience will be tested as they look to build on this promising performance and continue their Europa League journey.
