Tottenham Hotspur opened their Europa League campaign with an entertaining 3-0 win over Qarabag despite playing the majority of the match down to 10 men after Radu Dragusin’s early red card. Brennan Johnson, Pape Matar Saar and Dominic Solanke were on target as Qarabag missed several chances, as well as a second-half penalty, in a chaotic contest.
Kick-off in north London was delayed by almost 40 minutes with visitors Qarabag arriving late to the ground due to traffic in the capital. Spurs then made a sloppy start, with Dragusin sent off in the seventh minute after hauling down Juninho when he lost control of the ball on the half-way line.
But the response from Ange Postecoglou’s side was impressive. Johnson fired his third goal in as many games five minutes after Dragusin’s red card following Solanke’s pass. Tottenham made it safely to half time despite Qarabag threatening an equaliser, and then doubled their lead after the break when Saar volleyed in from a corner.
Qarabag had a golden opportunity to pull one back from the penalty spot but Toral Bayramov blasted it over the bar and Solanke punished the visitors when he tucked in a rebound soon after for Tottenham’s third. The only concern for Postecoglou was the sight of Son Heung-min limping off ahead of Sunday’s trip to Manchester United in the Premier League.
Follow live updates from Tottenham vs Qarabag in our live blog below
FULL TIME! 10-man Tottenham beat Qarabag in Europa League
Match started at 8:37pm after visitors Qarabag arrived late due to traffic
69’ GOAL! Dominic Solanke taps in to increase lead (TOT 3-0 QRB)
57’ MISSED PENALTY! Bayramov blasts over the bar (TOT 2-0 QRB)
52’ GOAL! Pape Matar Sarr doubles lead after half time (TOT 2-0 QRB)
11’ GOAL! Brennan Johnson fires 10-man Spurs ahead (TOT 1-0 QRB)
7’ RED CARD! Radu Dragusin sent off after hauling down Juninho (TOT 0-0 QRB)
22:50 , Jamie Braidwood
Ange Postecoglou, speaking to TNT Sports:
“Not an ideal [start]. I thought we started really sloppy, I don’t know if the delay got to us or whatever. Radu paid the price. The reaction was good but I was not happy with the start.
“Brennan was great. Even with 10 men we still pressed, which we wanted to do. He’s got some confidence in him, which is great. He’s done really well the last three games.
“I felt we needed the second, the way the game was going. It was great for Pape, who I thought was really good today. That was his first 90 minutes but it was really strong.
“Dom has been great for us. He had the long drought of two games without a goal but he’s been fantastic for us. Not just the goals but the general link-up play. A strong performance.
“It’s important that we got off to a win tonight, especially being at home you really have to win. Any game away in Europe is a challenge. Good to get the win tonight.
“Big challenge for us going to Old Trafford on Sunday but one we’re looking forward to.”
22:42 , Jamie Braidwood
A very pleasing sight for Spurs fans: Solanke and Johnson now have five goals between them in their last three games.
22:40 , Jamie Braidwood
A 10:30pm finish does not help Tottenham ahead of their trip to face Manchester United on Sunday (4:30pm).
After that, Ange Postecoglou’s side play their second match of the Europa League away to Ferencvaros in Budapest next Thursday, before another trip to Brighton a week on Sunday.
22:36 , Jamie Braidwood
Here’s Dominic Solanke, speaking to TNT Sports:
“Very happy to get the win, the boys fought hard. Going down to 10 men, it could have been a difficult game. It shows the spirit of the boys.
“I’m still to get fitter. I had an injury at the start of the season that knocked my rhythm but hopefully I can growing, keep scoring and helping the team.”
22:29 , Jamie Braidwood
A wild win for Spurs. 3-0 fails to sum it up but Totteham were clinical and Qarabag were not, the visitors surely will come away with regrets after playing against 10 men for almost the entire match and having several chances.
But for Spurs, this was an impressive, battling performance. The only concern really is whether Son has picked up an injury after limping off in the 70th minute. Postecoglou’s side head to Manchester United on Sunday on the back of three straight wins but will be desperate for their captain to be fit.
22:29 , Jamie Braidwood
90+3 mins: Loads of great performers for Spurs tonight but Micky van de Ven has been immense in the heart of a patched up defence; Vicario and Archie Gray too.
22:26 , Jamie Braidwood
90 mins: Tottenham are managing to this see out. It’s going to go down as an impressive win after playing with 10 men since the seventh minute. And after being under pressure, Postecoglou’s side are heading for a third win in a row in all competitions.
Into three minutes added on.
22:20 , Jamie Braidwood
84 mins: Spurs bring on Mikey Moore for some late minutes, replacing Solanke.
A goal and an assist for Solanke tonight. The striker is settling nicely.
22:14 , Jamie Braidwood
77 mins: Surely this time for Qarabag… no! Juninho is half a yard offside when he heads past Vicario.
Just before, the goalkeeper produced a brilliant stop to keep Tottenham’s clear sheet. Cafarguliyev hit that well but Vicario was equal to it.
22:06 , Jamie Braidwood
70 mins: A worry for Spurs, though, as Son Heung-min limps off.
He may have been coming off anyway but Spurs will take no chances with the captain with a trip to Manchester United to come on Sunday.
22:04 , Jamie Braidwood
Another for Solanke and breathing space for Spurs! Son’s shot is parried out poorly by Kochalski and Solanke, the poacher, is on hand to tap in his second in as many games for Spurs. That’s a striker’s goal.
Now, after a chaotic 10 minutes, Spurs can maybe shut this down.
22:00 , Jamie Braidwood
64 mins: POST! It’s 10pm… but it’s crazy from Tottenham. Now Juninho strikes the post for Qarabag, although Vicario may have had it covered. It’s breathless. Tottenham are just refusing to try and shut the game down.
21:55 , Jamie Braidwood
58 mins: This is CHAOS! What are Tottenham doing?! Immediately from the restart, Tottenham play it out from the back and give it away, leading to a shot on goal that Vicario saves.
Then suddenly Tottenham are breaking, but Solanke can’t convert!
It’s end to end!
21:53 , Jamie Braidwood
WHAT A MISS! Let off for Spurs! Toral Bayramov blasts it over the bar!
21:51 , Jamie Braidwood
Now then… Qarabag have a penalty, out of nowhere! Bissouma gets caught and brings down his man. VAR checks but gives it.
21:48 , Jamie Braidwood
Tottenham double their lead and it’s Pape Matar Sarr with his first of the season! It’s what Tottenham deserve too after a bright start to the second half, and comes from a corner following their sustained pressure.
From the corner, the Qarabag keeper comes flapping. Sarr hangs around at the back post and directs his volley on target. There’s a defender on the line but Sarr finds enough power to force it over.
What a relief for Spurs.
21:45 , Jamie Braidwood
47 mins: The break looks to have helped Spurs. There is more intent to their play at the start of the second half, with Son almost finding Solanke and then Gray almost threading a cross into the box. But the hosts have come out and taken control, after Qarabag had a good spell before half time.
21:41 , Jamie Braidwood
And a change for Spurs at the break! Goalscorer Johnson goes off and is replaced by Dejan Kulusevski.
We’re off.
21:26 , Jamie Braidwood
And that’s half time! Tottenham lead thanks to Johnson’s first-time strike, which came after Dragusin’s red card. Spurs did pretty well when down to 10 men, but Qarabag came back into it near the end of the half, which comes at a good time for the hosts. They need to regroup during the break.
21:24 , Jamie Braidwood
45+1 mins: What a challenge! It was almost disaster for Spurs on the stroke of half time. Davies lost the ball to Juninho but Vicario rushed out and made the tackle. That could have been a goal, or another red card, but the Italian’s timing was perfect.
21:22 , Jamie Braidwood
43 mins: More chances for Qarabag, with Tottenham clinging on until half time now. Van de Ven makes an important header, throwing himself at the ball, as the shot is finally dragged wide and Tottenham can clear.
21:18 , Jamie Braidwood
40 mins: CHANCE! Qarabag should be level. It comes after their first real period of sustained pressure. Juninho was offside, but held his run and waited as Qarabag recycled it wide. When the low cross came in, he was back onside, but opened his foot to far and guided it past the post. Vicario would have been beaten.
Let off for the 10 men of Tottenham.
21:13 , Jamie Braidwood
36 mins: Good goalkeeper from Vicario, who dives to cut out the cross towards Juninho. He is one of several Tottenham players making their European debuts tonight.
21:11 , Jamie Braidwood
32 mins: There’s a lot to like about Johnson’s performance again tonight, despite that miss. He looks full of confidence and has now scored in three games in a row after being criticised following the North London derby. It’s been a great response from the 23-year-old.
21:06 , Jamie Braidwood
27 mins: CHANCE! Where’s the goalie going?? Gray lifts a ball over the top and Qarabag keeper Kochalski charges off his line, even though he’s miles from the ball. Johnson beats him to it, nicks it past him, but is unable to flick the volley back on target from just outside the box.
He holds his head and knows he could have done better there.
21:04 , Jamie Braidwood
24 mins: Remember last season when Tottenham were down to nine men against Chelsea but still refused to defend deep? I’m getting a similar feel from Postecoglou’s team tonight. They are still showing plenty of ambition on the ball, despite the red card.
Davies has gone and filled in for Dragusin, with Udogie coming in at left back. Archie Gray has made an impressive start at right back and is still filling into midfield when Tottenham have established possession.
20:59 , Jamie Braidwood
20 mins: There’s the danger for Spurs. Qarabag race clear again but Udogie recovers brilliantly to make the challenge on Toral Bayramov in the box. Van de Ven then has to make a very similar recovery run.
Tottenham are still throwing numbers forward, despite the red card, and is leaving gaps for Qarabag to hit.
20:57 , Jamie Braidwood
15 mins: What a start to this game. Tottenham are down to 10, but lead. Still a long way to go, though.
In between Dragusin’s red card and Johnson’s fine finish, Lucas Bergvall was brought off for Udogie. A shame, I think a lot of Spurs fans were hoping to see the 18-year-old in action tonight.
But the change worked for Spurs as Johnson scored moments later.
20:50 , Jamie Braidwood
BUT THE 10 MEN LEAD! Moments after Postecoglou changed his team, sacrificing Bergvall for Destiny Udogie, Tottenham take the lead!
Spurs press the ball and win it back well, Solanke finds the pass to Johnson, who takes his chance clinically. Great finish.
And what a time too. Just five minutes after the red card!
20:45 , Jamie Braidwood
7 mins: WOW! Tottenham had been warned, and now Dragusin is off! Straight red!
Van de Ven plays a pass back to Dragusin, who is caught taking too long on the ball by the sprinting Juninho.
Suddenly the Qarabag forward is bursting away, until Dragusin drags him down.
It’s a clear foul and leave referee Benoît Millot with no option. He’s off and Tottenham are down to 10!
20:45 , Jamie Braidwood
5 mins: Tottenham are almost caught out as Qarabag go long and Juninho is faced with a two-on-two. Tottenham are able to slow him down and clear, but that was a warning.
20:41 , Jamie Braidwood
3 mins: Tottenham will want to make a strong start with a trip to Manchester United to come on Sunday. Bissouma gives the ball away after a miscommunication with Son over a free-kick, but then wins the ball back well. Spurs on the front foot to start.
20:37 , Jamie Braidwood
Let’s see how this changed but very strong Tottenham side gets on against Qarabag, who pushed Bayer Leverkusen very close in the Europa League last-16 last season.
We’re underway at last!
20:34 , Jamie Braidwood
Warm-ups done, the players are in the tunnel, and we’re almost ready to go at last!
There’s going to be a very slight delay to the delayed kick-off, but it’s coming next.
20:02 , Jamie Braidwood
Tottenham are out to warm up. It’s still a horrid night in north London but the home fans will be glad kick-off is not too far away now.
19:54 , Jamie Braidwood
The match will start at 8:35pm, it has been confirmed.
Qarabag have arrived and will be allowed to warm up before we begin.
The visitors had to get off their team bus and walk to the stadium due to the traffic.
19:47 , Jamie Braidwood
With 15 minutes to the ‘old’ 8pm kick-off, there are barely any Tottenham fans in the stadium. They could be taking shelter inside the ground, of course.
But visitors Qarabag were delayed by the severe travel disruption in London tonight. However, Qarabag have now arrived and we’ll hopefully have an update soon.
19:44 , Jamie Braidwood
After Ange Postecoglou defended his claim of “always winning things” in a second year at a club, the Tottenham boss may have winced after seeing his team draw Manchester City in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.
The Europa League represents a strong chance for Tottenham to win their first piece of silverware since 2008.
19:33 , Jamie Braidwood
Tottenham playmaker James Maddison hopes his goal against Brentford “shuts up a few people”, but reiterated it is all about the team after Saturday’s 3-1 victory.
Maddison crowned a superb display with a fine chipped effort in the 85th minute to clinch the points after first-half efforts by Dominic Solanke and Brennan Johnson cancelled out Bryan Mbeumo’s 22-second opener.
The 27-year-old Maddison started the campaign with back-to-back assists but faced criticism following last weekend’s defeat to Arsenal and responded with his first goal since March.
James Maddison hopes Tottenham goal ‘shut up’ his critics
19:25 , Jamie Braidwood
Kick-off at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has been delayed due to “severe travel disruption”.
Trains have been impacted by poor weather in the capital.
Tonight’s visitors Qarabag have been unable to arrive at the stadium ahead of kick-off.
19:18 , Jamie Braidwood
Tottenham captain Son Heung-min has expressed his “love” for team-mate Rodrigo Bentancur, despite the Uruguay midfielder making an alleged racist remark about the South Korean over the summer.
The former Juventus player was charged last Thursday with an alleged misconduct breach by the Football Association in relation to a media interview.
In the clip, which emerged in June, the host of a Canal 10 show asked Bentancur to show the shirt of a Spurs player, with the 27-year-old allegedly replying: “Sonny’s? It could be Sonny’s cousin too as they all look the same.”
While an apology from Bentancur was swiftly forthcoming, due to this being an “aggravated breach”, if an independent regulatory commission panel upholds the FA charge, he could be suspended for six to 12 domestic matches.
Son reacts to alleged racist remark from Spurs teammate Bentancur
19:06 , Jamie Braidwood
Son Heung-min on fixture schedule:
“You don’t want to see players struggling with injuries. No one wants to see it. A lot of games, a lot of travelling. We’ve got to look after ourselves, which sometimes is very hard.
“Mentally, physically, you’re not ready. Then going on to the pitch and then the risk of injury is massive. We’re not robots. Don’t get me wrong, we love playing football. That’s clear.
“It’s about adding more games. City played Sunday and Tuesday and it wasn’t even flexible. It could be moved probably to play Wednesday instead of Tuesday. It’s not flexible. That’s what we’re talking about.
“It’s normal that everyone is at high risk of injury. It’s not fair. Rodri said the right things. We play 50, 60 games and not more than 70 games. When the fixtures come, the players have to play. There’s a lot going on.”
18:51 , Jamie Braidwood
Ange Postecoglou goes strong! There are starts for Son Heung-min and Micky van de Venn, as well as appearances for Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall. Exciting team? It’s six changes from the Brentford game but the same front three.
Spurs XI: Vicario; Gray, Dragusin, Van de Ven, Davies; Bissouma, Sarr, Bergvall; Johnson, Solanke, Son
Qarabag FK: Kochalski, Matheus Silva, Mustafazade, Bayramov, Badavi Huseynov, Cafarquliyev, Benzia, Patrick Andrade, Romao, Zoubir, Juninho
18:45 , Jamie Braidwood
Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou and captain Son Heung-min have both insisted the growing football schedule must be addressed.
Spurs begin their Europa League campaign on Thursday at home to Qarabag and the initial phase of the competition has been extended to eight games instead of six, which is also the same for the Champions League.
Manchester City midfielder Rodri suggested last week that players could strike over the increasing fixture congestion before days later he suffered a serious knee injury.
“They may take things into their own hands. They’re the ones most affected to be honest, so you would understand if they started to think as a collective, how much are we going to have to continually not have a say in?” Postecoglou explained.
Ange Postecoglou and Son Heung-min call for changes to football calendar
18:29 , Jamie Braidwood
Sep 26: vs Qarabag (H)
Oct 3: vs Ferencvaros (A)
Oct 24: vs AZ (H)
Nov 7: vs Galtasaray (A)
Nov 28: vs Roma (H)
Dec 12: vs Rangers (A)
Jan 23: vs Hoffenheim (A)
Jan 30: vs Elfsbrog (H)
18:16 , Jamie Braidwood
2024-25: Europa League, under Ange Postecoglou
TBD
2023-24: No competition
2022-23: Champions League, under Antonio Conte
Round of 16: lost 1-0 to Milan
2021-22: Conference League, under Nuno Espirito Santo and then Antonio Conte
Group stage: Knocked out after Rennes match was called off
2020-21: Europa League, under Jose Mourinho
Round of 16: Lost 3-2 on aggregate to Dinamo Zagreb
2019-20: Champions League, under Maurcio Pochettino and then Jose Mourinho
Round of 16: Lost 4-0 on aggregate to RB Leipzig
18:06 , Jamie Braidwood
Thursday night football returns to Tottenham. This is the club’s first Europa League season since under Jose Mourinho in 2020-21, where they reached the round of 16 before blowing a 2-0 lead in the first leg and losing to Dinamo Zagreb.
That just about sums out Tottenham’s adventures in Europe over the last five years, or since reaching the Champions League final under Mauricio Pochettino. Neither Mourinho nor Antonio Conte could do what Pochettino managed and get Spurs into a European final.
So how about Ange Postecoglou?
18:02 , Jamie Braidwood
Cristian Romero is suspended for Spurs, with Ange Postecoglou likely to rotate elsewhere. Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall should get another chance to impress, while teenager Mikey Moore may also receive an opportunity with Wilson Odobert injured. Djed Spence and Sergio Reguilon were left out of the Tottenham squad for this competition.
18:01 , Jamie Braidwood
Tottenham vs Qarabag is due to kick off at 8pm BST on Thursday 26 September at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage on the channel from 7pm BST. Subscribers can stream the action via discovery+.
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18:00 , Jamie Braidwood
Tottenham Hotspur begin their Europa League campaign against Qarabag as Ange Postecoglou’s side return to European competition.
Spurs were not involved in Europe last season and missed out on Champions League qualification in Postecoglou’s first campaign in charge. The Australian has set his sights on winning a trophy in his second season at Spurs, and the Europa League is a real opportunity for Tottenham to end their wait for silverware – but the club previously struggled in Europe under Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte.
Can they get off to a winning start tonight?
