Tottenham remain on course to end their 17-year trophy drought and to win silverware in Ange Postecoglou’s second season after a 2-0 win in Bodo/Glimt sent them through to the Europa League final
Manchester United will face Tottenham in an all-or-nothing Europa League final after substitute Mason Mount’s magical brace helped secure a 4-1 comeback win against battling Athletic Bilbao.
Last week’s fantastic 3-0 semi-final first-leg win at San Mames put the Red Devils within touching distance of a return to Bilbao for the May 21 showpiece, but Ruben Amorim’s side rarely do things the easy way.
Mikel Jauregizar’s 25-yard strike gave Athletic a deserved lead as United stumbled out of the blocks at Old Trafford, capitalising on an error by quarter-final hero Harry Maguire in spectacular fashion.
The Old Trafford faithful stuck with their stuttering side and Mount’s excellent turn and strike punctured growing tension, with Casemiro’s header and a close-range Rasmus Hojlund effort completing the turnaround.
And Mount scored a glorious second from long range in stoppage time, with goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala well out of position, wrapping up a 4-1 victory and 7-1 aggregate triumph.
On the other hand, Tottenham remain on course to end their 17-year trophy drought and to win silverware in Ange Postecoglou’s second season after a 2-0 win in Bodo/Glimt sent them through to the Europa League final.
Spurs held a two-goal lead after last week’s first leg in north London, but had been warned to expect a stern examination on Bodo’s notoriously difficult artificial surface in the Arctic Circle.
A firework display welcomed both teams onto the Aspmyra Stadion pitch, but Postecoglou watched his team produce a masterful defensive display in the first half before they struck twice in the second period.
Dominic Solanke made the breakthrough after 63 minutes with his 15th goal of the season before a cross-cum-shot from Pedro Porro six minutes later all but assured Tottenham of a place in the final in Bilbao.
It will be only the second European final Spurs have contested in the last 40 years and despite a woeful Premier League campaign with the club down in 16th position, Postecoglou can still stay true to his vow of always winning a trophy in his second season.
Bodo boasted a formidable home record on a notoriously quick artificial surface, which was saturated by several sprinklers before kick-off in addition to light drizzle.
An ear-piercing firework show welcomed the players onto the pitch, but Richarlison almost silenced a partisan home crowd only for his effort shot to be blocked.
Olde Didrik Blomberg sent a half-volley into the side netting soon after from a tight angle and yet Spurs impressively navigated the opening exchanges.