With a last-minute goal, Tottenham secured a narrow victory over Liverpool in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semifinal. The return leg is scheduled for February 6.
Tottenham snatches dramatic win in Carabao Cup semifinal first leg against Liverpool
Tottenham earned a hard-fought victory in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semifinal against Liverpool. With an 86th-minute goal, the Spurs took a 1-0 lead in the tie, though the game disappointed some fans who were expecting a high-scoring match like the thrilling nine-goal showdown between these teams less than a month ago, which Liverpool won 6-3.
A head injury overshadowed the game’s start
The match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium began with a concerning incident. Following a corner kick that ended in a brilliant save by Alisson Becker, Rodrigo Betancur attempted a diving header. The Uruguayan launched himself toward the ball but missed, and the momentum of his dive combined with the twisting motion of his neck caused him to land hard on the pitch, with his head hitting the ground directly.
Betancur remained on the field for 10 minutes as medical staff attended to him before he was stretchered off and subsequently hospitalized. Tottenham later announced that the player was stable and conscious but would undergo further medical tests to rule out any serious risks.
Chances but no goals in the first half
The game resumed with both Spurs and Reds creating dangerous opportunities throughout the remainder of the first half, including the 11 minutes of stoppage time added due to Betancur’s injury. Liverpool closed the half strongly, appearing on the verge of scoring.
A late goal sealed the match
The second half followed a similar pattern, with both teams attacking and Liverpool looking the more likely to score. However, Tottenham delivered the decisive blow in the closing minutes. After an earlier goal by Dominic Solanke was disallowed for offside in the 75th minute, the Spurs executed a brilliant four-pass sequence starting from their goal. It culminated in a Solanke assist to Lucas Bergvall, who moved into a central forward position, entered the box, and fired a near-post shot that found the back of the net in the 86th minute.
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With this result, Tottenham will head to Anfield for the second leg with a slight one-goal advantage. The return match is scheduled for February 6.
