In a tense and tightly contested first leg of the EFL Cup semi-final, Tottenham secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Liverpool, with Lucas Bergvall emerging as the hero with a dramatic late goal. The match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Wednesday night saw both teams create several opportunities, but it was the 18-year-old Bergvall who would make the decisive impact, scoring the winner just four minutes before the final whistle.
The game had a slow and cautious start, with both sides testing each other early on. Tottenham created an early chance when Son Heung-min's cross found Radu Dragusin, but his header was saved by Liverpool's goalkeeper Alisson. In the 20th minute, Dominic Solanke thought he had given Liverpool the lead, but his goal was ruled out by VAR after it was deemed he was offside. The disallowed goal, from a pass by Pedro Porro, came just ten minutes before Bergvall's eventual winner, adding to the sense of frustration for both teams.
The first half continued with Liverpool trying to impose themselves, but Tottenham remained disciplined in defense. Tottenham's best chance in the opening period came when Rodrigo Bentancur collapsed on the field unchallenged, causing concern among players and fans alike. The match was paused for medical attention, and Bentancur was later stretchered off the pitch. He was subsequently taken to the hospital for further checks but was reported to be conscious. This interruption added to the nervous atmosphere as both teams sought to gain an upper hand.
As the match progressed into the second half, the game became increasingly physical. Both sides had their share of chances, but neither could capitalize. Pedro Porro had a clear opportunity to score, but his shot on an open goal was blocked by Virgil van Dijk, who was quick to recover. Liverpool responded with their own moments of pressure, as substitute Darwin Nunez missed a one-on-one chance against Tottenham's debutant goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky, shooting from a tight angle. Trent Alexander-Arnold also saw a powerful shot cleared off the line by Tottenham's Radu Dragusin, further adding to Liverpool's frustration.
The defining moment came in the 86th minute, when Bergvall—who had been lively throughout the match—capitalized on a cutback pass from Solanke. With composure beyond his years, Bergvall placed the ball into the bottom-right corner of the net, sending the Tottenham supporters into raptures and giving Spurs a crucial 1-0 lead. Bergvall’s strike not only secured the win but also made history, as he became Tottenham's youngest-ever scorer in the EFL Cup, breaking a record set by none other than Gareth Bale in 2007. At just 18 years and 341 days old, Bergvall’s goal ensured that Spurs head into the second leg with the advantage.
Despite a late surge of pressure from Liverpool, including calls for a second yellow card for Bergvall following a late tackle on Kostas Tsimikas, Tottenham held firm and saw out the game. The match ended with the 1-0 scoreline in Spurs' favor, leaving them with a slight edge heading into the return leg at Anfield on February 6.
While Tottenham will be delighted with the result, they will also need to ensure that they maintain their composure and sharpen their finishing in the second leg. Liverpool, on the other hand, will feel disappointed by the missed opportunities and disallowed goal, but they will have the chance to bounce back on home soil in the coming weeks.
Overall, it was a hard-fought encounter where individual moments of brilliance, notably Bergvall’s decisive strike, made all the difference. Tottenham will be hoping to carry this momentum into the second leg, with a final place within reach if they can hold their nerve.
