17-year teen puts Tottenham Hotspur in top eight spot of UEFA Europa League

In a victory over Elfsborg, Tottenham's young generation excelled, overcoming yet another injury setback to advance to the Europa League's round of 16. After the game ended without a goal, replacement defender Radu Dragusin was wounded in the second half, leaving Spurs, who already had 12 players out due to injury and ineligibility, without a substitute. 

But 20-year-old substitute Dane Scarlett put the home team ahead in the 70th minute, and 19-year-old Damola Ajayi added to the lead, igniting the crowd. In the fourth minute of stoppage time, the team's first goal was scored by 17-year-old winger Mikey Moore, who also secured the victory.

Into the round of 16 🤩 pic.twitter.com/awGCDRtvPF

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 30, 2025

In the first half, Spurs had trouble breaking past the Swedish team's obstinate defence. Son Heung-min's deft touch put Moore closest just before halftime, but Isak Pettersson made a reflex stop to disappoint the home team. Damola made an impression even faster.

He came on from the right, played a one-two with Scarlett, and scored a 2-0 goal after coming off the bench on his debut, which lasted 81 minutes. The cherry on top came when Mikey finished back across Isak Pettersson for 3-0 after cutting in from the right.

Spurs avoided a play-off match

After starting in the first qualifying round, Elfsborg, who are playing their 16th game in the competition, came very near via Jalal Abdullai in the second half before Scarlett put Spurs ahead. Spurs avoided a play-off match in February and finished the league round in fourth position with 17 points. They can now focus on domestic games until the last-16 stage in March.

This indicates that they were placed fourth in the league phase and will play in the Round of 16 over two legs in March against either AZ Alkmaar, Midtjylland, Galatasaray, or Real Sociedad. There will be two legs to the round of 16 matchups, with the first game happening on Thursday, March 6, and the second leg on Thursday, March 13. We will host the second leg as we are the team with the tie's seed.