Tottenham Hotspur secured a 1-0 victory over Liverpool in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with Lucas Bergvall scoring the match-winning goal. The game, however, was overshadowed by a concerning injury to Spurs midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur, who collapsed on the pitch early in the first half after attempting to head a corner. Bentancur remained motionless on the ground, and immediate medical attention was required. The match was paused for eight minutes while he was treated, and he was subsequently stretchered off and rushed to the hospital.
The injury left both sets of players visibly shaken, which contributed to a subdued atmosphere for the rest of the first half. Once the match resumed, the tempo picked up. Liverpool, who had struggled to break down Tottenham’s defense, saw a shot from Trent Alexander-Arnold cleared off the line and had a goal from Dominic Solanke ruled out for offside after a VAR check. Despite these efforts, Tottenham continued to hold firm defensively.
With the game nearing a stalemate, it was Solanke who made a crucial contribution in the 83rd minute, delivering an assist for Bergvall, who found the back of the net for his first goal in a Spurs shirt. This gave Tottenham a 1-0 advantage as they head into the second leg at Anfield.
Though the game was not filled with many dramatic moments, the incident involving Bentancur cast a long shadow over the proceedings. His injury, though non-contact, raised concerns for both the club and the player, and Spurs fans shared messages of support for the midfielder on social media. With Bentancur’s status uncertain, Tottenham will hope for a swift recovery for the Uruguayan international as they aim to carry this narrow lead into the second leg of the semi-final. Liverpool, for their part, will have to regroup and come out stronger at Anfield to keep their Carabao Cup hopes alive.
