Lucas Bergvall’s late winner leads Spurs to a 1-0 Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg victory, as youth stars shine
Ange Postecoglou’s faith in youthful exuberance paid off handsomely as Tottenham Hotspur secured a crucial 1-0 win over Liverpool in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final. The victory, which lifted some of the pressure on Postecoglou following a series of disappointing results, was characterised by a standout performance from 18-year-old Swedish talent Lucas Bergvall, whose late goal kept Spurs on course for silverware.
The match, though, was far from straightforward. Liverpool will likely feel aggrieved after a controversial moment involving Bergvall, who could have been sent off for a reckless challenge on Kostas Tsimikas moments before scoring his winner. Referee Stuart Attwell opted to let the game continue, and Bergvall made the most of the reprieve, breaking the deadlock in the 86th minute to give Spurs a vital advantage heading into the second leg.
But while Bergvall’s name will dominate the headlines, he wasn’t the only teenager to step up when it mattered. In an atmosphere full of pressure, debutant goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky, just 21, delivered a mature performance that belied his inexperience. Kinsky, signed just days earlier from Slavia Prague for £12.5m, made key saves to preserve his side’s advantage, with his commanding presence between the sticks proving invaluable in such a high-stakes encounter.
In addition to Bergvall and Kinsky, 18-year-old Archie Grey also caught the eye with his composure and maturity, contributing significantly to the team’s defensive resolve against Liverpool’s potent attack. These young talents showcased not just skill, but a remarkable sense of calm and control under pressure – qualities that Postecoglou had hoped for when he invested in them during the summer.
The match also saw Postecoglou facing yet another test of his managerial acumen, with injuries and illness depleting his squad. A total of 10 players were unavailable for the match, and the situation worsened when Rodrigo Bentancur was forced off the pitch following a head injury sustained in a corner. The Uruguayan midfielder received extended treatment on the pitch but was later reported to be conscious and talking, offering a rare piece of good news on a challenging night.
Despite the injury crisis, Spurs were able to dig deep and show resilience. Postecoglou, whose transfer strategy of bringing in promising young talent had been questioned by some, was able to point to his decision-making as a key factor in the team’s success. The performance of Bergvall, Kinsky, and Grey demonstrated that the manager’s vision for the future of the club was beginning to bear fruit.
With a narrow lead in hand, Spurs will travel to Anfield for the second leg next week, buoyed by the knowledge that their youthful stars are ready to step up when called upon. Postecoglou’s promise of delivering silverware in his second season remains firmly intact, and with the support of his talented young players, Tottenham’s ambitions for the Carabao Cup remain very much alive.
