Tottenham Hotspur began their UEFA Europa League campaign with a commanding performance against Qarabag, winning 3-0 despite a challenging start that saw them reduced to 10 men early in the match. The encounter at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium unfolded amidst severe weather conditions that delayed kickoff by 35 minutes, yet the home side quickly shook off any pre-match nerves. Spurs demonstrated resilience and tactical acumen, overcoming the adversity of a red card to deliver a strong statement in their group stage opener.

Tottenham vs Qarabag Head-to-Head Record

Historically, Tottenham has had the upper hand against Qarabag, winning both of their previous encounters in the UEFA Europa League, with the most recent match resulting in a 3-1 victory in 2015.

Tottenham vs Qarabag Lineups

Tottenham Hotspur

• Formation: 4-3-3
• Starting XI:
  • Goalkeeper: Guglielmo Vicario
  • Defenders: Ben Davies, Micky van de Ven, Radu Dragusin, Archie Gray
  • Midfielders: Yves Bissouma, Pape Matar Sarr, Lucas Bergvall
  • Forwards: Brennan Johnson, Son Heung-Min, Dominic Solanke
• Substitutes:
  • Fraser Forster (GK)
  • Rodrigo Bentancur
  • Destiny Udogie
  • Dejan Kulusevski
  • Timo Werner
  • Mikey Moore
  • Will Lankshear

FK Qarabag

• Formation: 4-2-3-1
• Starting XI:
  • Goalkeeper: Mateusz Kochalski
  • Defenders: Elvin Cafarquliyev, Badavi Hüseynov, Bahlul Mustafazada, Matheus Silva
  • Midfielders: Patrick Andrade, Julio Rodrigues Romao
  • Forwards: Yassine Benzia, Abdellah Zoubir, Juninho
• Substitutes:
  • Richard Almeida (GK)
  • Nariman Akhundzade
  • Musa Qurbanly
  • Oleksiy Kashchuk
  • Fabijan Buntic
  • Sadiq Mammadzada
  • Aleksey Isaev

Tottenham vs Qarabag First Half

The match commenced after a lengthy delay due to heavy rain and travel disruptions, but it was Tottenham who took control almost immediately. However, just seven minutes into the game, Spurs were dealt a severe blow when defender Radu Dragusin received a straight red card for bringing down Qarabag’s Juninho as the last man. This forced manager Ange Postecoglou to rethink his strategy, substituting Lucas Bergvall for Destiny Udogie to bolster the defense.

Despite the setback, Tottenham quickly responded. Just seconds after the substitution, Dominic Solanke set up Brennan Johnson, who confidently slotted the ball past Qarabag’s goalkeeper, Mateusz Kochalski, giving Spurs a 1-0 lead in the 12th minute.

As the half progressed, Spurs remained aggressive, pressing high despite being a man down. In the 40th minute, Juninho nearly equalized for Qarabag but sent his shot wide, leaving the score at 1-0 as the halftime whistle blew.

Half-Time Score: Tottenham 1 – 0 Qarabag

Tottenham vs Qarabag Second Half

The second half started with Spurs looking to extend their lead. In the 52nd minute, Pape Matar Sarr took advantage of a weak punch from Kochalski, volleying home to double Tottenham’s lead to 2-0.

Qarabag was presented with a golden opportunity to get back into the match when Yves Bissouma conceded a penalty in the 55th minute. However, Tural Bayramov’s spot kick struck the crossbar, much to the relief of the Spurs fans.

In the 68th minute, Dominic Solanke scored his second goal for Tottenham, finishing from close range after Son Heung-Min’s effort was parried by the Qarabag goalkeeper. This goal put the match beyond reach for Qarabag at 3-0.

Tottenham maintained control, despite some late attempts from Qarabag, including a disallowed header from Juninho for offside. The game concluded without further incident.

Full-Time Score: Tottenham 3 – 0 Qarabag

Tottenham vs Qarabag Match Stat

Tottenham vs Qarabag Timeline

The match was a remarkable showcase of Tottenham’s character and tactical flexibility. Despite losing Radu Dragusin to an early red card, Spurs displayed a commendable fighting spirit. Brennan Johnson’s early goal set the tone, while Pape Matar Sarr and Dominic Solanke’s contributions secured a comfortable win.

Ange Postecoglou’s decision to keep pressing high, even with a numerical disadvantage, paid dividends. The team’s attacking intent remained undeterred, emphasizing their ambition in the Europa League this season.

Qarabag showed flashes of potential, especially through Juninho, but ultimately lacked the finishing touch to make a significant impact.

Impact on Points Table

With this victory, Tottenham sits comfortably at the top of their Europa League group, signaling their intent to progress deep into the tournament. Qarabag, on the other hand, faces an uphill battle in their next matches.

Tottenham vs Qarabag Player Achievements

• Brennan Johnson: Scored his third consecutive goal in three matches.
• Dominic Solanke: Netted his second goal for Spurs in the competition.
• Pape Matar Sarr: Delivered a standout performance with a goal to his name.

Tottenham vs Qarabag Man of the Match

Brennan Johnson was named Man of the Match for his crucial opening goal and consistent threat throughout the match.

Tottenham’s impressive 3-0 victory over Qarabag showcased their depth and determination, overcoming the challenge of playing with 10 men. This match not only sets the tone for their Europa League campaign but also highlights the potential of their younger players, such as Johnson and Solanke. As Spurs prepare for their next fixture against Ferencváros, they will carry the momentum and confidence gained from this performance.

FAQs for Tottenham vs Qarabag

1. What was the final score of Tottenham vs Qarabag?
The final score was Tottenham 3, Qarabag 0.

2. Who scored the goals for Tottenham?
Brennan Johnson, Pape Matar Sarr, and Dominic Solanke scored the goals for Tottenham.

3. What impact did the red card have on the match?
Despite the red card for Radu Dragusin, Tottenham adapted their strategy and maintained attacking pressure, leading to their victory.

4. How did Qarabag perform in the match?
Qarabag had moments of promise but failed to convert their chances, including a missed penalty, ultimately falling short against Spurs.

5. Who was named Man of the Match?
Brennan Johnson was named Man of the Match for his crucial contribution and overall performance.