Tottenham 1-0 Liverpool: Bergvall’s Late Strike Gives Spurs Carabao Cup Semi-Final Edge

Tottenham Secure First-Leg Advantage

Tottenham Hotspur took a crucial step towards the Carabao Cup final with a narrow 1-0 victory over Liverpool in the first leg of the semi-final at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. A late goal from Lucas Bergvall handed Ange Postecoglou’s side a vital aggregate lead to defend in the second leg at Anfield next month.

Bergvall Shines as Spurs Overcome Challenges

The match saw setbacks for both teams, with injuries impacting their lineups. Spurs lost Rodrigo Bentancur early on after a concerning fall that required medical attention. Liverpool also had to substitute Jarell Quansah after the defender appeared to suffer a muscle injury in the first half.

Both teams created chances throughout the game. Tottenham’s Pedro Porro missed an opportunity after a Liverpool defensive error, while Trent Alexander-Arnold saw a shot cleared off the line. Liverpool thought they had scored when Dominic Solanke found the net, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

The breakthrough came in the 86th minute. Solanke’s persistence in winning the ball off Ibrahima Konate led to the assist for Bergvall, who calmly slotted home the winning goal. Spurs goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky, making his debut, sealed the win with a stunning stoppage-time save to deny Luis Diaz an equalizer.

Player Ratings: Tottenham vs. Liverpool

Tottenham Player Ratings (4-3-3):

• Antonin Kinsky (GK): 8.8 (Player of the Match)
• Pedro Porro (RB): 7.0
• Radu Dragusin (CB): 7.4
• Archie Gray (CB): 7.6
• Djed Spence (LB): 8.0
• Lucas Bergvall (CM): 8.2
• Yves Bissouma (CM): 7.7
• Rodrigo Bentancur (CM): 6.2
• Dejan Kulusevski (RW): 6.6
• Dominic Solanke (ST): 7.5
• Son Heung-min (LW, Captain): 6.8

Substitutes:

• Brennan Johnson (6.2), Timo Werner (6.7).

Liverpool Player Ratings (4-2-3-1):

• Alisson (GK): 7.0
• Conor Bradley (RB): 6.7
• Jarell Quansah (CB): 6.7
• Virgil van Dijk (CB, Captain): 7.5
• Kostas Tsimikas (LB): 7.5
• Alexis Mac Allister (CM): 7.2
• Ryan Gravenberch (CM): 6.8
• Mohamed Salah (RM): 6.0
• Curtis Jones (AM): 6.5
• Cody Gakpo (LM): 6.9
• Diogo Jota (ST): 6.0

Substitutes:

• Wataru Endo (6.5), Trent Alexander-Arnold (6.8), Darwin Nunez (6.6), Luis Diaz (6.5), Ibrahima Konate (6.0).

Antonin Kinsky: Player of the Match

Tottenham’s debutant goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky earned Player of the Match honors with a stellar performance, including a game-saving stop in injury time to preserve the win.