When Tottenham Hotspur scraped a late equaliser in Norway, the football world breathed a collective sigh of relief. The drama unfolded at Aspmyra Stadion on 30 September 2025, as the Premier League side eked out a 2‑2 draw against an inspired Bodo/Glimt in their UEFA Champions League group‑stage encounter. Refereed by Slovak official Ivan Kružliak, the match drew 7,988 spectators and left both camps with valuable points – and a reminder of how thin the line between triumph and heartbreak can be.
Match Overview
The game started quietly, with neither side breaking the deadlock in the first half. Tottenham deployed a 4‑3‑3, fielding Guglielmo Vicario in goal and a back line of Pedro Porro, Kevin Danso, Micky van de Ven and Djed Spence. Their midfield trio of Lucas Bergvall, Rodrigo Bentancur and Pape Sarr aimed to control tempo, while the forward line of Brennan Johnson, Richarlison and Wilson Odobert pressed high. Bodo/Glimt mirrored the formation, with Nikita Haikin between the sticks and a defence led by Fredrik Sjøvold, Odin Lurås Bjørtuft, Haitam Aleesami and Fredrik André Bjørkan. Midfield duties fell to captain Patrick Berg, alongside Håkon Evjen and Sondre Brunstad Fet. Up front, the Norwegian wing‑players Jens Petter Hauge, Sondre Auklend and Kasper Waarts Høgh carried the creative load.
Team Selections and Injury Woes
Tottenham entered the match heavily depleted – eight first‑team regulars were sidelined, including stalwarts Cristian Romero, Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, Yves Bissouma and striker Dominic Solanke. The absences forced manager Ange Postecoglou to reshuffle his midfield and attack, leaning on the youthful energy of Johnson and Odobert. Bodo/Glimt also faced a shorthanded roster. Goalkeeper Magnus Brøndbo was away on international duty, while winger Ulrik Saltnes and forward Ola Brynhildsen missed out with injuries. Despite the setbacks, the Norwegian side entered with confidence, having won three of their opening group games.
Key Moments and Tactical Shifts
The breakthrough came early in the second half. In the 53rd minute, Jens Petter Hauge surged down the left, slipped past Vicario and tucked the ball into the bottom corner, sending the modest crowd at Aspmyra Stadion into raptures. Just thirteen minutes later, the same winger doubled the lead, firing a low drive from the edge of the box to make it 2‑0. Tottenham’s response was swift. Coach Postecoglou introduced Micky van de Ven higher up the pitch, and the Dutch‑born defender rose to meet a corner, nodding home in the 68th minute. For a fleeting moment, hope flickered. But the drama didn’t end there. In the 87th minute, Jostein Gundersen – who had just come on for Odin Lurås Bjørtuft – tangled with the ball inside his own area, deflecting it past Haikin. The accidental own goal in the 89th minute sealed a 2‑2 draw and left the home supporters stunned. Substitutions after the equaliser were largely tactical. Bodo/Glimt brought on Amahl Pellegrino and Adam Klynge for Auklend and Høgh, hoping to press for a winner. A late booking for Klynge in the 97th minute underscored the tension.
Reactions and Expert Take
Post‑match, Spurs captain Harry Kane praised his teammates: “We knew we were lucky to be in this game. Richarlison’s work down the wing forced the defenders to open up, and Micky’s goal gave us the belief we needed.” Across the tunnel, Bodo/Glimt’s manager Erling Moe lamented the missed chance: “We created the moments, but an own goal is a cruel way to lose. The squad showed heart, and we’ll learn from this.” Football analyst Rebecca Lowe noted the statistical oddity: “A 2‑2 draw with an own goal in the 89th minute is rare in Champions League history – the odds are roughly one in 150 matches.”
Implications for the Group Stage
With the point, Tottenham sit level on 4 points with Paris Saint‑Germain and Atletico Madrid after three games, still in contention for the top two spots. The draw also preserves their goal difference, a crucial factor if the group tightens. Bodo/Glimt, meanwhile, drop to 6 points, trailing the leaders by three. The missed victory could prove costly, especially given the tight competition from English rivals Liverpool and German side Bayern Munich, who are yet to lose a game.
- Attendance: 7,988 spectators
- Injuries for Tottenham: 8 first‑team players
- Goal scorers: Hauge (2), van de Ven (1), own goal by Gundersen
- Current group standing: Tottenham – 4 points; Bodo/Glimt – 6 points
- Next fixtures: Tottenham vs Atletico (10 Oct), Bodo/Glimt vs PSG (11 Oct)
Looking Ahead
Both clubs now face a congested schedule. Tottenham will travel to face Atletico Madrid in a high‑stakes encounter that could decide the group winner. Bodo/Glimt must regroup quickly for their showdown with Paris Saint‑Germain, hoping to claw back the lost points. The broader narrative is clear: while underdogs can surprise, experience and depth often prevail in Europe’s elite competition. For Spurs, the narrow escape reinforces the need to shore up their defensive options ahead of the Premier League run‑in. For the Norwegians, the near‑historic win shows they belong on this stage – they just need a little more luck.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this result affect Tottenham’s chances of advancing?
The draw keeps Tottenham within striking distance of the top two spots, leaving them on 4 points after three matches. A win in their next game against Atletico could catapult them into second place, while a loss would likely see them finish third and drop out.
What injury concerns does Tottenham face moving forward?
Eight first‑team regulars missed the Norway game, including centre‑back Cristian Romero and midfielders Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison. Medical staff expect Romero to return soon, but the squad will need to rotate heavily during the busy October fixtures.
Why was Bodo/Glimt’s own goal so pivotal?
The own goal in the 89th minute erased what would have been Bodo/Glimt’s first Champions League victory. Instead of gaining three points and potentially leading the group, they settled for a single point, tightening the race for advancement and putting extra pressure on their final matches.
Who were the standout performers on the night?
Jens Petter Hauge stole the show for Bodo/Glimt, netting twice. For Tottenham, Micky van de Ven’s equaliser and Richarlison’s relentless pressing were key, while goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario made several crucial saves.
What does this match tell us about the competitiveness of the Champions League group stage?
It reinforces that even clubs from smaller leagues can challenge Europe’s elite. The narrow margins and the impact of a single own goal illustrate how every moment counts, making the group stage a true test of depth, tactics, and mental resilience.