Tottenham vs Qarabag Report
Scorers: Johnson 12’, Sarr 52’, Solanke 68’
Red card: Drăgușin 6’
Despite being reduced to ten men early on, Tottenham Hotspur marked their return to the UEFA Europa League (UEL) with a thrilling 3-0 win over Azerbaijani champions Qarabag FK.
Early Drama as Spurs Go Down to Ten Men
Qarabag entered the match having lost all six of their previous encounters against English opposition. Despite travel delays postponing the start, the Azerbaijani side looked set to turn their fortunes around when, just seven minutes in, Radu Drăgușin miscontrolled the ball, allowing Juninho to intercept.
The Romanian defender pulled Juninho down, earning a red card in just his second European appearance.
Spurs Take the Lead Despite Numerical Disadvantage
Although down to ten men, Tottenham quickly took control of the match. Five minutes after the red card, Spurs capitalised on a defensive error by Qarabag. Dominic Solanke pressed high and won possession, setting up Brennan Johnson, who side-footed a clinical finish into the bottom corner to give Tottenham a 1-0 lead.
This goal continued Johnson’s rich vein of form and set the tone for a strong offensive performance despite the early setback.
Kulusevski and Sarr Double Spurs’ Lead
Tottenham doubled their lead in the 52nd minute from a set-piece situation. Dejan Kulusevski delivered an inswinging corner that was mishandled by Qarabag goalkeeper Mateusz Kochalski.
Pape Matar Sarr was quick to react, volleying home at the back post to make it 2-0. Qarabag were then handed a golden opportunity to get back into the game when Yves Bissouma fouled Yassine Benzia inside the box. However, Toral Bayramov missed the chance, wildly blasting the penalty over the bar.
Qarabag Waste Chances, Son and Solanke Seal the Win
Qarabag continued to create chances but struggled to find the finishing touch. Both Bayramov and Juninho were guilty of missing clear opportunities as Tottenham’s defensive structure wavered.
Spurs punished the visitors for their lack of composure in the 68th minute when Son Heung-min’s curling effort was parried by Kochalski into the path of Solanke, who tapped in his second goal in as many games, making it 3-0.
Qarabag’s Efforts Fall Short
While the final scoreline suggested a comfortable win for Spurs, Qarabag had several chances to make the game closer, including a late header from Juninho that was correctly ruled out for offside. Despite Tottenham’s shaky defensive moments, Ange Postecoglou’s attacking philosophy shone through.
While fans may wonder how far such an approach can take Spurs this season, the north London club secured their third successive win, bringing relief and optimism to the faithful.
Conclusion
Tottenham’s 3-0 win over Qarabag in their UEL opener showcased their attacking prowess, even when down to ten men. Goals from Brennan Johnson, Pape Matar Sarr, and Dominic Solanke sealed the victory, though defensive lapses and wasted chances from Qarabag highlighted potential concerns for Postecoglou’s men as they look to balance their aggressive style with consistency and composure.
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