Stuck for two and a half hours' - Qarabag's Tottenham nightmare

 Stuck for two and a half hours' - Qarabag's Tottenham nightmare

Tottenham Survive Chaos to Edge Qarabag in Europa League Opener

Tottenham Hotspur's Europa League campaign kicked off in dramatic fashion as they narrowly defeated Qarabag FK 3-1 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The match was marred by a series of unfortunate events, including a delayed start, a red card for Spurs defender Radu Dragusin, and a missed penalty for the visiting side.

The Azerbaijani team faced significant travel disruptions, arriving at the stadium just 15 minutes before the scheduled kick-off time. This delay, caused by rail and road closures, forced UEFA to postpone the match until 20:35. The late arrival of Qarabag raised concerns about their preparedness and potentially violated UEFA regulations.

Despite the chaos surrounding the match, Tottenham managed to secure a victory. Brennan Johnson, Pape Matar Sarr, and Dominic Solanke scored for Spurs, while Qarabag's lone goal came from a Tottenham own goal. The visitors missed several chances, including a penalty, and were unable to capitalize on their numerical advantage after Dragusin's red card.

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou attributed his team's slow start to the delayed kick-off. He expressed disappointment in the team's performance, particularly in the early stages of the match. However, he praised their resilience and ability to overcome the challenges presented by the circumstances.

The match also saw Tottenham suffer some injury concerns. Son Heung-min limped off in the second half, while Archie Gray appeared to be in pain late in the game. Johnson was also substituted at halftime, but Postecoglou downplayed concerns about his fitness.

The Europa League opener was a rollercoaster of emotions for both teams. While Tottenham secured three points, the match was a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of football and the importance of adaptability in the face of adversity.