Tottenham Hotspur in 54-year first as Brennan Johnson creates Europa League history
Brennan Johnson has entered the Europa League history books after firing Tottenham Hotspur into a dream lead against Bodo/Glimt. The Welshman headed in the opener for Spurs with just 38 seconds on the clock in their semi-final first leg tie on Thursday night. Spurs made an instant impact after kick-offGetty Bodo/Glimt left Johnson unmarked towards the back post as they quickly fell 1-0 down with less than a minute played. It made history as Spurs scored in the opening minute of a match in a major European competition for only the second time. The first occasion came in December 1971 when Martin Peters netted in their 3-0 UEFA Cup win against Rapid Bucharest. Meanwhile, Johnson has scored the quickest Europa League semi-final goal in history. The previous record stood at 50 seconds, when Ansgar Knauff scored for Eintracht Frankfurt against West Ham in April 2022. Johnson’s goal is his 17th of the season in all competitions and fourth in the Europa League. Spurs then doubled their lead on 34 minutes when James Maddison saw his effort bundle into the bottom corner. Rodrigo Bentancur came close to netting a stunning third moments later but was denied by an excellent save from Nikita Haikin. Ange Postecoglou’s side are now on course to reach their first final in a European competition since 2019. Whilst there’s still a second leg to play, Spurs will remain favourites to reach the Europa League’s showcase match. Johnson headed Tottenham into a dream lead against their Norwegian opponentsAFP They could very well face Manchester United in this season’s final. It would be the first all-English final in the Europa League since Chelsea beat Arsenal 4-1 in 2019.
Brennan Johnson has entered the Europa League history books after firing Tottenham Hotspur into a dream lead against Bodo/Glimt.
The Welshman headed in the opener for Spurs with just 38 seconds on the clock in their semi-final first leg tie on Thursday night.
Bodo/Glimt left Johnson unmarked towards the back post as they quickly fell 1-0 down with less than a minute played.
It made history as Spurs scored in the opening minute of a match in a major European competition for only the second time.
The first occasion came in December 1971 when Martin Peters netted in their 3-0 UEFA Cup win against Rapid Bucharest.
Meanwhile, Johnson has scored the quickest Europa League semi-final goal in history.
The previous record stood at 50 seconds, when Ansgar Knauff scored for Eintracht Frankfurt against West Ham in April 2022.
Johnson’s goal is his 17th of the season in all competitions and fourth in the Europa League.
Spurs then doubled their lead on 34 minutes when James Maddison saw his effort bundle into the bottom corner.
Rodrigo Bentancur came close to netting a stunning third moments later but was denied by an excellent save from Nikita Haikin.
Ange Postecoglou’s side are now on course to reach their first final in a European competition since 2019.
Whilst there’s still a second leg to play, Spurs will remain favourites to reach the Europa League’s showcase match.
They could very well face Manchester United in this season’s final.
It would be the first all-English final in the Europa League since Chelsea beat Arsenal 4-1 in 2019.
