Bergvall stepped forward as a controversial savior

Lucas Bergvall was close to being sent off in the semi-final of the League Cup against Liverpool. Instead, the 18-year-old Swede decided with his first goal for Tottenham and the London club is one step closer to the final at Wembley.

» Updated: January 09 2025

» Published: January 08 2025

Bergvall stepped forward as a controversial savior
Photo: Ian Walton/AP/TT

There were upset feelings in the Liverpool camp and with away coach Arne Slot when the Swedish teenager in the 86th minute saved the home crowd at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the first semi-final match of two in the League Cup.

The goal was Lucas Bergvall's first full hit in the Tottenham jersey since he joined the London club from Allsvenskan Djurgården last summer. It was also the match's only goal, but the question is whether Bergvall should have been on the pitch at that stage of the match.

"Made a mistake"

A few minutes earlier, the 18-year-old had brought down Kostas Tsimikas, but the referee did not warn Bergvall, who had previously received a yellow card in the first half. Liverpool's Greek left-back was not on the pitch when the goal fell because Tsimikas was receiving treatment on the sideline.

It was pretty obvious that it would have been a second yellow card, says Liverpool's team captain Virgil van Dijk according to the news agency AP.

He (the referee) made a mistake, I think, continues van Dijk.

Arne Slot was furious and was warned for his protests. The loss was the Dutchman's only second as coach for Premier League leader Liverpool. He took over the classic club before the season.

Long before Bergvall's controversial winning goal, unpleasant scenes unfolded in the semi-final. In the sixth minute, Tottenham player Rodrigo Bentancur – with no opponent near him – tried to head a corner but missed the ball and hit the grass. He lay on the pitch for almost ten minutes and received treatment before being carried out on a stretcher.

Taken to hospital

Tottenham coach Ange Postecoglou tells AFP that Bentancur was conscious when he came to the dressing room, before being taken to hospital for further examination.

As I understand it, it was a head injury. It was worrying and head injuries are always a concern, but from what I know, he's hopefully going to be okay.

The return match in Liverpool will be played on February 6. In the other semi-final on Tuesday, Newcastle won 2–0 against Arsenal. The return match will be played on February 5.

The League Cup final will be decided at Wembley in London on March 16.

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Isak's Fitness in Doubt for
1 MIN READ

Isak's Fitness in Doubt for Newcastle's Clash with Leicester

Duplantis Absent as Michael Johnson
2 MIN READ

Duplantis Absent as Michael Johnson Launches Grand Slam Track Event

Crashes and Grass Fires Disrupt
1 MIN READ

Crashes and Grass Fires Disrupt Chaotic F1 Practice at Suzuka

Northug Eyes Olympic Comeback with
1 MIN READ

Northug Eyes Olympic Comeback with Mexico's Support

Linda Sembrant to Retire After
1 MIN READ

Linda Sembrant to Retire After Final European Championship

Ullmark Shines as Ottawa Edges
1 MIN READ

Ullmark Shines as Ottawa Edges Tampa Bay in Playoff Push

Sweden Advances Toward Curling Semifinals
1 MIN READ

Sweden Advances Toward Curling Semifinals with Win Over Czech Republic

Swedish Golfers Shine in Las
1 MIN READ

Swedish Golfers Shine in Las Vegas LPGA Tour Match Play

Miami Heat's Winning Streak Ends
1 MIN READ

Miami Heat's Winning Streak Ends with Last-Second Loss to Memphis

Ovechkin's Ties to Putin Stir
3 MIN READ

Ovechkin's Ties to Putin Stir Controversy as NHL Record Nears

Ludvig Åberg Struggles in Masters
1 MIN READ

Ludvig Åberg Struggles in Masters Warm-Up Round in Texas

Apelgren Leads Pick Szeged to
1 MIN READ

Apelgren Leads Pick Szeged to Champions League Quarterfinals Over PSG

Henrik von Eckermann Faultless but
2 MIN READ

Henrik von Eckermann Faultless but Trails in World Championship Final

AIK Levels Semifinal with Karlskoga
2 MIN READ

AIK Levels Semifinal with Karlskoga Thanks to Fitzgerald's Four Goals

Timrå's Anton Lundmark Joins NHL
1 MIN READ

Timrå's Anton Lundmark Joins NHL Champion Florida for 2025 Season

Sweden Boosts Playoff Hopes with
1 MIN READ

Sweden Boosts Playoff Hopes with Key Win Over Scotland

Johan Hedberg Named New Head
1 MIN READ

Johan Hedberg Named New Head Coach of Leksand

Arsenal's Gabriel Out for Season
1 MIN READ

Arsenal's Gabriel Out for Season After Thigh Injury

Barcelona Wins Court Battle to
1 MIN READ

Barcelona Wins Court Battle to Register Olmo and Víctor

Ebba Andersson Dominates Swedish Ski
1 MIN READ

Ebba Andersson Dominates Swedish Ski Championship with Two-Minute Lead

Sweden to Host Algeria in
1 MIN READ

Sweden to Host Algeria in June Friendly at Strawberry Arena

Olympic Expansion Praised: Women's Football
3 MIN READ

Olympic Expansion Praised: Women's Football to Feature 16 Teams

Petter Northug's Olympic Comeback Hindered
2 MIN READ

Petter Northug's Olympic Comeback Hindered by Past Drug Conviction

Halfvarsson Struggles to 51st in
1 MIN READ

Halfvarsson Struggles to 51st in Swedish Ski Championship Opener

Norwegian Lise Klaveness Joins Uefa
2 MIN READ

Norwegian Lise Klaveness Joins Uefa Board as Andriy Shevchenko Misses Out

Finland Exits Bandy World Championship
1 MIN READ

Finland Exits Bandy World Championship Over Financial Strain

Federica Brignone Suffers Multiple Leg
1 MIN READ

Federica Brignone Suffers Multiple Leg Fractures in Ski Crash

FIFA Proposes Equalizing Men's and
1 MIN READ

FIFA Proposes Equalizing Men's and Women's Football Teams for 2028 Olympics

Henrik von Eckermann Eyes Historic
3 MIN READ

Henrik von Eckermann Eyes Historic Third Straight World Cup Title

USA and UK Poised to
1 MIN READ

USA and UK Poised to Host Expanded Women's World Championships

Swedish Football Boosts Support for
1 MIN READ

Swedish Football Boosts Support for National Team Parents with Young Kids

Verstappen Criticizes Red Bull's Quick
1 MIN READ

Verstappen Criticizes Red Bull's Quick Swap of Teammate Lawson

Vancouver's Playoff Hopes Dim After
2 MIN READ

Vancouver's Playoff Hopes Dim After 5-0 Loss to Seattle

Swedish Rookie Pelle Larsson Shines
2 MIN READ

Swedish Rookie Pelle Larsson Shines as Miami Ends Boston's Streak

Swedish Golf Faces Vote on
4 MIN READ

Swedish Golf Faces Vote on Club Membership Limits

Ovechkin Nears Gretzky's Record with
1 MIN READ

Ovechkin Nears Gretzky's Record with Goal Against Carolina

Mourinho's Nose Pinch Sparks Chaos
1 MIN READ

Mourinho's Nose Pinch Sparks Chaos in Istanbul Derby

Isak Scores 20th Goal as
1 MIN READ

Isak Scores 20th Goal as Tonali's Stunner Seals Newcastle Win

Genre image
1 MIN READ

Helsingborg Makes History as First Newcomer in SM Semifinals Since 1999

Djurgården Levels Semifinal in Tense
2 MIN READ

Djurgården Levels Semifinal in Tense 7-3 Win Over Södertälje