Tottenham's Porro admits goal was unintentional as team advances to Europa League final

"It wasn’t an intended shot..."

"The hero of the decisive goal" Pedro Porro (26, Tottenham Hotspur) confessed candidly.

On the 9th at 4 a.m. (Korea time), Tottenham defeated Bodo/Glimt 2-0 in the second leg of the 2024-2025 UEFA Europa League (UEL) semifinals at the Asmira Stadium in Bodo, Norway. This victory allowed them to secure a place in the final with a total score of 5-1 from the two legs.

Located in the Arctic Circle, the Asmira Stadium is known for its extreme cold and artificial turf conditions. While it is dubbed a 'graveyard' for European visiting teams, Tottenham came through with a convincing win. After leading 3-1 in the first leg, Tottenham completely dominated the second leg with solid management.

Tottenham started the match with a 4-3-3 formation featuring Richarlison, Solanke, and Brennan Johnson at the forefront. In midfield, Bissouma, Bentancur, and Kulusevski were placed, while the back line consisted of Udogie, Van de Ven, Romero, and Porro. Vicario guarded the goal. Son Heung-min missed the match due to a foot injury, marking his seventh consecutive absence.

Tottenham dominated the match with aggressive Chonbang pressing. Bodo, relying on high possession, sought to launch counterattacks but failed to create decisive chances. In the 35th minute of the first half, Casper Heg performed a header attempt that went wide of the goal.

The balance was broken by Tottenham in the 63rd minute. In a corner kick situation, Cristian Romero headed the ball down, which Dominic Solanke connected with a diving shot that shook the net. With this goal, Tottenham extended their total score to 4-1, effectively securing their spot in the final.

In the 69th minute, Porro scored the decisive goal. He attempted a cross from the right flank, but the ball curved toward the goal. It went over the goalkeeper and hit the opposite post before being sucked into the net.

Porro showcased a 'dart celebration,' which is the signature of vice-captain James Maddison, for his goal celebration. Maddison was ruled out for the season with a knee injury suffered in the first leg against Bodo. He will also be unable to play in the final.

After the match, Porro candidly expressed his feelings in an interview. He said, "It was a cross for Solanke, but it turned into a goal. That's what matters most," and smiled as he noted, "A clean-sheet victory means even more. I’m proud that we have advanced to the final."

British media also highly evaluated Porro's performance. 'Spurs Web' named him the man of the match. "The second goal might have been accidental, but the result is what counts," awarding him a score of 9. 'Football London' likewise gave Porro a score of 9, alongside Romero, Van de Ven, and Udogie.

'Football London' praised Porro stating, "In the 22nd minute of the first half, he threatened the opposing goalkeeper with a free-kick shot," mentioning that he was rewarded with a goal after his dedicated play.

Tottenham will face Manchester United in the final for the Europa League trophy. Both teams are struggling in the lower tier of the Premier League, making it difficult to qualify for the Champions League. Their only hope lies in winning the UEL.

If Tottenham defeats Manchester United, they will lift a trophy for the first time in 17 years since the 2007-2008 League Cup season. A historic moment approaches for Son Heung-min as well, marking his first career title.

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