Tottenham Hotspur have secured their place in the Europa League final after a clinical 5-1 aggregate victory over Bodo/Glimt, taking them one step closer to European glory. Under the lights of the Aspmyra Stadion in Norway’s Arctic Circle, Spurs withstood early pressure and capitalized in the second half to seal the win, ensuring they will meet Premier League rivals Manchester United in the final, set for May 21 in Bilbao.
The first leg in North London had left Tottenham in a strong position with a 3-1 lead, but they knew that a team like Bodo/Glimt, hungry to make history as the first Norwegian side to reach a major European final, would pose a serious threat on their home turf. The Arctic conditions only added to the intensity of the tie, and Tottenham were tasked with holding onto their lead while dealing with the artificial pitch and Bodo’s attacking potential.
From the moment the whistle blew, it was clear that Bodo/Glimt would not make things easy for Spurs. The hosts came out firing, pressing high and creating early chances. A dangerous cross from Fredrik Bjorkan found Ole Didrik Blomberg at the far post in the 8th minute, but his half-volley went wide, a near miss for the Norwegians. In the 31st minute, Bodo/Glimt had another promising opportunity when a free-kick from Berg seemed destined for the top corner, but Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario pulled off a superb save, tipping the ball over the bar.
Tottenham, while struggling to break down the Bodo/Glimt defense in the early stages, still had their moments. The ever-dangerous Pedro Porro forced a save from Nikita Haikin with a curling free-kick from just outside the box in the 23rd minute. Richarlison also looked lively, and Udogie was often involved in pushing Spurs forward, although their final ball lacked the sharpness to trouble the goalkeeper consistently.
Despite their possession, Spurs were unable to convert their opportunities, and Bodo/Glimt almost got the breakthrough themselves. In the 41st minute, the hosts created another chance when Patrick Berg intercepted a poor pass from Yves Bissouma and unleashed a long-range effort. Vicario, however, was alert and made the catch, denying the hosts what could have been a vital goal.
By the time the referee blew for half-time, Tottenham had failed to add to their aggregate lead, and with the score still at 0-0 on the night, there was still hope for Bodo/Glimt. The 3-1 advantage still seemed to be in Spurs' favor, but Bodo/Glimt were pushing hard and looking for a way back into the tie.
The second half began with a noticeable shift in momentum as Tottenham began to assert themselves more confidently. The breakthrough came in the 63rd minute, as Spurs capitalized on a set-piece situation. Mathys Tel swung a corner into the box, and Cristian Romero, who had been dominant at the back, rose highest to flick the ball across the face of goal. The unmarked Dominic Solanke, alert and quick, steered the ball into the back of the net from close range to make it 1-0 on the night, 4-1 on aggregate. Bodo/Glimt were left with an almost insurmountable task, needing at least three goals to force extra time.
Tottenham, now in control, doubled their lead just six minutes later. Dejan Kulusevski, fresh from his earlier assist, made a brilliant run down the right wing and squared a pass to Porro, who was in space on the edge of the box. What followed was a moment of magic—Porro's delivery, intended as a cross, was perfectly placed and floated over Bodo/Glimt goalkeeper Haikin, curling into the far top corner of the net. The spectacular strike made it 2-0 on the night and 5-1 on aggregate, effectively sealing Spurs' progression to the final.
With the tie now all but decided, Bodo/Glimt did manage to create one final moment of drama in the dying minutes. In the 88th minute, they were awarded a penalty after a challenge by Porro on substitute Sondre Sorli. The home fans erupted as the referee pointed to the spot, giving Bodo/Glimt a potential chance for a consolation goal. However, after a quick VAR review, the referee overturned his decision. Replays showed that Porro had cleanly won the ball, and the penalty was rescinded, much to the relief of Tottenham fans and players alike. Instead, the referee awarded a free-kick to Spurs, and any remaining hopes of a Bodo/Glimt comeback were dashed.
In the 90th minute, Sorli did have one final chance to score when he let fly from outside the box, but Vicario once again came to the rescue, pushing the shot over the bar and preserving Tottenham’s clean sheet in the second half.
The performance from Tottenham in the second half was a clear tactical adjustment by manager Ange Postecoglou. His side was more disciplined and patient with possession, as they generated 0.93 xG in the second half while restricting Bodo/Glimt to just 0.43 xG. Spurs' defensive solidity, led by Romero, van de Ven, and Udogie, kept the hosts largely at bay. The midfield trio of Yves Bissouma, Rodrigo Bentancur, and Kulusevski also worked tirelessly to protect the backline while setting up counter-attacks.
Porro was a standout performer, contributing both defensively and offensively. His assist for Solanke’s opener and his world-class goal were key moments in the match. The right-back’s energy was a crucial factor in Tottenham’s ability to keep Bodo/Glimt on the back foot, even when Spurs had less possession—only 31.1% across the entire match.
At the top end of the pitch, Solanke’s goal was a testament to his sharp instincts, while Kulusevski’s assist and overall work rate further cemented his importance to the team. Even though they didn't dominate possession, Spurs looked dangerous in transition and showed the clinical edge needed to finish the tie in style.
With the 2-0 win on the night and the 5-1 aggregate score, Tottenham Hotspur now face Manchester United in the Europa League final. United had been equally dominant in their quarterfinal clash with Athletic Bilbao, winning 7-1 on aggregate. The final promises to be a thrilling encounter between two English giants, both looking to salvage their respective seasons. Spurs, despite their struggles in the Premier League, will now turn their focus to European glory, knowing that this trophy could be their only route to silverware this season.
As for Bodo/Glimt, their valiant effort fell short, but they can hold their heads high after a campaign that saw them come within 90 minutes of reaching a major European final. While the defeat in front of their home fans is bitter, the Norwegian side has proven their worth on the European stage and will undoubtedly continue to be a force to reckon with in the coming seasons.
Tottenham Hotspur’s 5-1 aggregate win over Bodo/Glimt wasn’t just a passage to the Europa League final; it was a display of resilience, tactical intelligence, and individual brilliance when it mattered most. With one last hurdle to overcome in the form of Manchester United, Spurs’ season is far from over, and their European dream is still alive. The final in Bilbao awaits, and both teams will be looking to lift the trophy in what promises to be an epic showdown.
