In a commanding display at the Aspmyra Stadion, Tottenham Hotspur secured a 2-0 victory over Bodø/Glimt in the second leg of their UEFA Europa League semi-final, clinching a 5-1 aggregate triumph to book their place in the final. The match, played on May 8, 2025, under the Arctic Circle’s chilly skies, saw Spurs deliver a performance of discipline and clinical finishing, silencing the passionate home crowd and ending the Norwegian side’s fairytale run.
From the outset, Tottenham showed their intent to protect the 3-1 lead earned in the first leg. Despite concerns about Bodø/Glimt’s formidable home record and the artificial pitch, Spurs adapted seamlessly. The backline, anchored by Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, stood firm, while Yves Bissouma’s midfield tenacity stifled Glimt’s slick passing game. Ange Postecoglou’s side, often criticized for inconsistency in the Premier League, showcased a pragmatic edge that has become their hallmark in this European campaign.
The breakthrough came in the 63rd minute, courtesy of Dominic Solanke. The striker, whose tireless pressing had unsettled Bodø’s defense all evening, capitalized on a well-worked corner. Bundling the ball home from close range, Solanke’s goal—his fifth in the competition—sparked wild celebrations among the traveling Spurs fans. The strike not only extended Tottenham’s lead but also drained the belief from the hosts, who had hoped a late first-leg goal by Ulrik Saltnes would inspire a comeback.
Pedro Porro sealed the tie with a second goal, described by the right-back himself as a stroke of fortune. His effort, which looped over goalkeeper Nikita Haikin, came late in the game and ensured there would be no late drama. While Porro’s finish may have lacked elegance, it epitomized Tottenham’s efficiency on the night. Richarlison, starting alongside Solanke, was a constant menace, though a rare lapse in precision denied him a goal when a promising move fizzled out.
Bodø/Glimt, despite the return of key players like Patrick Berg, struggled to replicate their home heroics. A long-range attempt from Berg, spotting Guglielmo Vicario off his line, sailed harmlessly wide, summing up their lack of cutting edge. The Norwegian champions, the first from their nation to reach a European semi-final, earned admiration for their journey but were outclassed by a Spurs side hungry for silverware.
Postecoglou’s tactical acumen shone through. Opting for a lineup unchanged at the back from the first leg, he leaned on the experience of Destiny Udogie and Rodrigo Bentancur, while Dejan Kulusevski’s work rate on the wing stretched Bodø’s defense. The absence of James Maddison, ruled out for the season with a knee injury, was felt but not fatal, as Spurs maintained control without their creative linchpin.