Spurs survive Bodo test to set up all-English Europa League final

Tottenham will have the chance to end their 17-year trophy drought when they face Manchester United in the Europa League final after navigating a tricky trip to Bodo/Glimt and securing a 5-1 aggregate victory with a 2-0 win in Norway.

For an hour Spurs struggled on the artificial pitch inside the arctic circle but Dominic Solanke headed in against the run of play to ease the tension and when Pedro Porro’s cross-shot dropped in soon after they knew they were Bilbao-bound for the May 21 final.

Lazio, Olympiacos and Porto are among the big-name sides to have lost at Bodo/Glimt this season but Ange Postecoglou’s players passed the test. The Australian’s run of securing silverware in his second year in charge of teams could now continue against a United side Spurs have beaten three times already this term.

When Bodo/Glimt pulled a goal back late on in the first leg, this fixture was laced with danger. Spurs had blown the same advantage in this competition at Dinamo Zagreb in 2021.

There was an early warning when Ole Didrik Blomberg hit the side-netting for the hosts and aside from a well-saved Porro free-kick Spurs were offering little threat of their own. At the start of the second half, Destiny Udogie twice had to scramble the ball away from inside the six-yard box.

But Solanke pounced just as Bodo/Glimt were ramping up the pressure and Porro’s freak second allowed the 400 travelling fans to enjoy the final 20 minutes and plot their way to the San Mames.

Athletic Club’s hopes of featuring in the final in their own stadium are over – Man Utd won 4-1 at Old Trafford to wrap up their semi 7-1. But Spurs’ dream to end their wait for silverware – and grab a valuable Champions League place at the same time – is on.