Tottenham Hotspur secured a 1-0 victory over Liverpool in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The match was marked by significant events, including a serious injury to Tottenham midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur and a historic moment in English football officiating.
Match Overview.
The game began with both teams striving for dominance. In the early stages, Tottenham’s Rodrigo Bentancur suffered a severe injury after a fall during a corner kick, leading to a seven-minute delay as he received on-field treatment before being stretchered off and taken to the hospital. Tottenham later confirmed that Bentancur was conscious and communicating.
Despite the setback, Tottenham maintained their composure. In the 79th minute, Dominic Solanke appeared to have given Spurs the lead; however, after a VAR review, the goal was disallowed for offside. In a pioneering move, referee Stuart Attwell used the stadium’s PA system to announce the decision, marking the first time in English football that a referee directly communicated a VAR decision to the crowd.
The decisive moment came in the 86th minute when Lucas Bergvall scored his first goal for Tottenham, securing the 1-0 win. Solanke played a crucial role in the buildup, assisting Bergvall’s goal.
Key Statistics.
Final Score: Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Liverpool
Goal Scorer: Lucas Bergvall (86′)
Possession: Tottenham 48% – 52% Liverpool
Total Shots: Tottenham 12 – 10 Liverpool
Shots on Target: Tottenham 4 – 3 Liverpool
Corners: Tottenham 5 – 4 Liverpool
Fouls Committed: Tottenham 14 – 12 Liverpool
Significant Moments.
Rodrigo Bentancur’s Injury: Bentancur’s early exit due to injury was a concerning moment for Tottenham. The midfielder was taken to the hospital for further evaluation, with the club later confirming he was conscious and communicating.
Historic VAR Announcement: Referee Stuart Attwell’s use of the PA system to announce the disallowed goal decision was unprecedented in English football, aiming to enhance transparency in officiating.
Lucas Bergvall’s Winning Goal: The 19-year-old midfielder’s late strike not only secured the victory but also marked his first goal for Tottenham, highlighting his potential as a rising star.
Post-Match Reactions.
Tottenham’s manager, Ange Postecoglou, expressed relief and satisfaction with the team’s performance, especially after witnessing missed opportunities earlier in the match. His visible despair following Pedro Porro’s missed chances turned to elation with Bergvall’s late goal.
Liverpool’s camp, while disappointed with the result, acknowledged the competitive nature of the match and looked forward to the second leg at Anfield, aiming to overturn the deficit.
Looking Ahead.
The second leg of the semi-final is scheduled to take place at Anfield, where Liverpool will seek to leverage their home advantage to progress to the final. Tottenham, buoyed by their first-leg victory, will aim to maintain their lead and secure a place in the Carabao Cup final.
YNWA