The UEFA Europa League semi-finals kicked off with emphatic first-leg victories for both Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United, placing the English clubs in commanding positions ahead of the return legs.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Bodo/Glimt – North London Masterclass
Tottenham Hotspur made an electric start to their semi-final clash against Norway’s Bodo/Glimt. Just 40 seconds into the match, Brennan Johnson stunned the visitors by heading home from a Richarlison flick-on, sending the crowd at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium into a frenzy.
Spurs maintained relentless pressure, showcasing their Premier League pedigree. James Maddison doubled the advantage before halftime, finishing off a flowing move started by Pedro Porro. The clinical edge continued after the break when Dominic Solanke converted a penalty, putting the North London side 3-0 ahead by the hour mark.
Tottenham’s experienced squad and ruthless attacking play proved too much for Bodo/Glimt, who struggled to match the intensity. With a three-goal cushion, Ange Postecoglou’s men are now firm favorites to reach their first European final in years.
Athletic Club vs Manchester United – Garnacho Denied, Fernandes Shines
In Bilbao, Manchester United faced Spanish outfit Athletic Club in a fiery contest filled with drama and turning points. Alejandro Garnacho appeared to open the scoring early for the Red Devils, but his effort was ruled out for offside by the assistant referee.
Undeterred, United soon asserted control. Casemiro rose highest to head in the opener after a pinpoint cross from Harry Maguire, giving the visitors a deserved lead. The game tipped further in Manchester United’s favor when Athletic’s Dani Vivian received a red card for a reckless foul on Rasmus Hojlund, leaving the home side a man down.
Bruno Fernandes stepped up to convert the resulting penalty with confidence and later added a third goal, sealing a dominant 3-0 away win. The victory, aided by the numerical advantage, puts Erik ten Hag’s side in a strong position to reach another European final.
First-Leg Summary and What’s Next
- Tottenham Hotspur: Goals from Brennan Johnson, James Maddison, and Dominic Solanke secure a 3-0 home win over Bodo/Glimt. Spurs hold a commanding advantage ahead of the second leg.
- Manchester United: Despite an early offside decision against Garnacho, United take control with goals from Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes (2), beating Athletic Club 3-0 on the road.
With both English clubs delivering dominant first-leg performances, Tottenham and Manchester United are now well-placed to secure spots in the Europa League final. The second-leg ties will determine if they can finish the job and set up an all-English showdown in the final.
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