Tottenham Hotspur took a significant step toward the Europa League final as they recorded a dominant 3-1 first-leg victory over Bodo/Glimt on Thursday evening, delivering surely their best performance of the season so far.
Tottenham burst into the lead as Brennan Johnson scored inside the opening minute, and the Lilywhites were in complete control from then on, with their first-half only improving as James Maddison doubled the lead to give the hosts a commanding 2-0 lead going into the break.
Spurs looked sure to have won the tie as Dominic Solanke converted from the penalty spot to make it 3-0 just after the hour mark, but a late goal from Ulrik Saltnes gave Bodo/Glimt a glimmer of hope, leaving them only two goals behind heading into their home leg.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
For a team often characterized by chaos under Ange Postecoglou's reign, Spurs produced a composed and measured performance against Bodo/Glimt tonight, limiting their visitors to just three shots while registering a massive 24 of their own.
A willingness to go direct clearly worked out for Spurs, who scored the opening goal from a cross, their second following a long ball forward and winning the penalty for the third from a set-piece.
Everyone understood prior to the match that this leg was the chance for Tottenham to secure a much-needed lead, with a daunting trip to the Arctic for the second leg, where Bodo/Glimt have been so impressive this campaign.
No one quite expected how dominant Spurs would ultimately be, though, making the most of Bodo/Glimt's defensive vulnerability as they put one foot in the Europa League final.
However, the night did end on a slight sour note for Postecoglou's side, conceding a late goal from a deflection that gives Bodo/Glimt a glimmer of hope going into their home leg.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR VS. BODO/GLIMT HIGHLIGHTS
Brennan Johnson goal vs. Bodo/Glimt (1st min, Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Bodo/Glimt)
Tottenham lead already!
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 1, 2025
Brennan Johnson heads home just 40 seconds into the game 🤯
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/trv06OX7CE
What a start for Tottenham!
Tottenham look to make a fast start, delivering a cross into the box that is initially cleared but Pedro Porro takes control, bursts down the right, and delivers toward Richarlison.
Richarlison does excellently to loop his header back towards the back post, where Johnson is free to head into the net from close range and give Spurs an early lead.
James Maddison goal vs. Bodo/Glimt (34th min, Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Bodo/Glimt)
James Maddison extends Tottenham's Lead 🤩
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 1, 2025
Pedro Porro plays an incredible ball to Maddison, as he takes it down with a brilliant touch before firing home 🔥
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Maddison scores a second for Spurs!
Porro fires a searching ball over the Bodo/Glimt defence and into their penalty area, perfectly finding the run of Maddison, but his first touch takes him away from goal.
Maddison feints before firing across goal, and his shot manages to bounce through the crowd and into the far left corner to double Tottenham's lead.
Dominic Solanke goal vs. Bodo/Glimt (61st min, Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 Bodo/Glimt)
Cool, calm and collected 😎
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 1, 2025
Dominic Solanke passes the ball into the net from the spot to give Tottenham a 3-0 lead against Bodø/Glimt 💥
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/nV7sAa06cs
Solanke fires in from the spot!
Tottenham are awarded a penalty after a brief VAR check for a foul on Cristian Romero as Fredrik Sjovold attempted to boot the ball clear from a Spurs set-piece and caught the central defender.
Solanke steps up to take the penalty, stuttering in his run up and placing into the bottom left corner - wonderful composure from the striker.
Ulrik Saltnes goal vs. Tottenham Hotspur (83rd min, Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 Bodo/Glimt)
Bodø/Glimt get one back!
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 1, 2025
Ulrik Saltnes gets the goal to make the score 3-1 ⚽️
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Saltnes pulls one back for Bodo/Glimt, that could be crucial for the second leg!
The midfielder skilfully chops onto his left foot, and his strike takes a deflection off Rodrigo Bentancur and loops into the gaping net to give Bodo/Glimt a way back into the tie.
That is a real blow for Spurs, who have looked so confident in defence up until now.
MAN OF THE MATCH - CRISTIAN ROMERO
© Imago
Considering Tottenham scored three goals, it would be understandable to expect an attacking player to be awarded man of the match, but central defender Romero was the standout performer.
Rather bizarrely, Romero created the most chances, with three, of any player throughout the 90 minutes, while he also won the penalty for their third goal.
Romero was also defensively strong for Tottenham, making five clearances, three interceptions and two recoveries, while also winning five duels.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR VS. BODO/GLIMT MATCH STATS
Possession: Tottenham Hotspur 42%-58% Bodo/Glimt
Shots: Tottenham Hotspur 24-3 Bodo/Glimt
Shots on target: Tottenham Hotspur 7-1 Bodo/Glimt
Corners: Tottenham Hotspur 13-1 Bodo/Glimt
Fouls: Tottenham Hotspur 12-7 Bodo/Glimt
BEST STATS
1 - Tottenham Hotspur have scored in the opening minute of a match in a major European competition for only the second time, after December 1971 in the UEFA Cup against Rapid Bucharest. Dream. pic.twitter.com/SFOUIqsxRu
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 1, 2025
It took Brennan Johnson just 38 seconds to give Tottenham the lead against Bodø / Glimt. ⏱️#UEL pic.twitter.com/AThIn3lBB9
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) May 1, 2025
Cristian Romero created more chances than any other player in the first half vs. Bodø / Glimt (3).
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) May 1, 2025
He was also the only player to create more chances than his centre-back partner Micky van de Ven (2). 😅#UEL pic.twitter.com/Mfv6d6xPAH
WHAT NEXT?
Tottenham's focus will briefly shift back to the Premier League, as they face West Ham United on Sunday, before returning to European action with a trip to Norway for the second leg on Thursday.
As for Bodo/Glimt, the Norwegian side will enjoy a week's rest before hosting Tottenham in the second leg, ensuring their players are likely to be much fresher upon returning to their home ground.
Ellis Stevens
