Lucas Bergvall’s Controversial Goal Hands Tottenham a Narrow One-Goal Lead Over Liverpool in EFL Cup Semifinal

Tottenham, and especially Lucas Bergvall, will be breathing a sigh of relief after the teenager’s decisive goal handed Spurs a slender lead heading into the second leg at Anfield. In a match largely lacking in clear-cut chances, Bergvall’s strike could end up being pivotal – but that barely scratches the surface of what unfolded on the night.

Lucas Bergvall’s 86th-minute winner was a moment of joy for Spurs fans, but it came wrapped in controversy. The Swedish teenager calmly swept the ball into the net after some clever hold-up play from Dominic Solanke, sealing a narrow victory for Tottenham. However, just moments earlier, Bergvall was at the center of a contentious incident that could have changed the game’s narrative entirely. 

The 18-year-old should arguably have been sent off for a reckless challenge on Kostas Tsimikas. Referee Stuart Attwell allowed play to continue. With the Swede already on a yellow for an earlier sliding challenge on Luis Díaz, tensions soared as fans and players alike anticipated a second yellow card. Yet, Attwell decided against it, leaving Bergvall, Postecoglou, and the 60,000-strong crowd at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium breathing a collective sigh of relief. 

After the game, Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk didn’t hold back in sharing his thoughts. “Listen, I think it was quite obvious that it was going to be a second yellow. It was pretty clear. A minute later, he (Bergvall) scores the winner, but listen, it is what it is. He (referee Stuart Attwell) made a mistake in my opinion, and I told him that. He thinks maybe he didn’t, but it was quite obvious, I think, and everyone on the sideline knew exactly that it was supposed to be a yellow... I’m not saying this is the reason that we lost tonight, but it was a big moment in the game.” Liverpool manager Arne Slot shared similar frustrations, emphasizing the game-changing nature of the decision. “It had a big influence on the game. It didn’t feel to me as if we were ever going to lose here... The decision he made had a lot of impact on the result tonight, and there’s nothing else I can say about it,” Slot remarked. 

However, in the larger context of the game, Spurs were the deserved winners. Dominic Solanke was denied a goal after a lengthy VAR check adjudged him offside. Moreover, Liverpool were nowhere near their fluid best. The Reds struggled to create meaningful chances, and when they did manage to test Tottenham, debutant goalkeeper Antonín Kinský rose to the occasion. The 21-year-old had an outstanding first outing, displaying a composed presence that rippled confidence throughout the team. Kinský’s calmness with the ball at his feet marked a sharp contrast to the unpredictability Spurs fans had grown accustomed to under Fraser Forster. 

Tottenham players also had to overcome some unsettling visuals, particularly an early injury to Rodrigo Bentancur. The Uruguayan midfielder suffered a head injury within the opening 10 minutes, leading to a lengthy delay as medical staff rushed to his aid. It was a worrying scene, but the team rallied impressively despite the disruption. Given the challenges they faced—key injuries, an in-form opponent, and the pressure of a semifinal—Ange Postecoglou’s side showed grit and resilience to edge out the win. They now take a vital one-goal advantage to Anfield, where they’ll aim to secure a spot in the final and edge closer to ending their trophy drought that stretches back to 2008. For Spurs fans, the dream of silverware remains very much alive.