Tottenham make Europa League knockout stage with 3-3 draw at LASK

Tottenham's Gareth Bale scores his side's first goal from the penalty spot during the Europa League Group J soccer match between Linzer ASK and Tottenham Hotspur at the Linzer stadium in Linz, Austria, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2020. [Photo, Andreas Schaad]

Tottenham Hotspur earned the point they needed to reach the Europa League knockout stage on Thursday as they were held to a roller-coaster 3-3 draw at LASK Linz after Mamoudou Karamoko grabbed a stoppage-time equaliser for the Austrians.

Royal Antwerp lead Group J on 12 points after five games with Spurs second on 10 points. LASK are third with seven points and Bulgarian side Ludogorets are bottom without a point. Tottenham host Antwerp next week to decide the group winners.

Spurs struggled to settle in the first half and LASK went ahead in the 42nd minute as defender Matt Doherty slipped and Peter Michor finished a counter-attack by whipping a bouncing drive into the net which beat keeper Joe Hart at the far post.

The visitors levelled when Andres Andrade was penalised for handball in the area and Gareth Bale slammed home the resulting spot kick in first-half stoppage time before Heung-Min Son put Tottenham ahead 11 minutes into the second half.

LASK equalised with a shot from Johannes Eggestein in the 84th minute but again they quickly conceded a penalty which substitute Dele Ali dispatched to make it 3-2.

Spurs looked set to win until Karamoko picked up the ball on the edge of the box and curled a fine shot past Hart to snatch a late point but the visitors had done enough to make the last 32.

Soccer Football - Europa League - Group J - LASK Linz v Tottenham Hotspur - Linzer Stadion, Linz, Austria - December 3, 2020 Tottenham Hotspur's Matt Doherty in action with LASK Linz's Rene Renner. [Reuters, Lisi Niesner]

 

By Stephen Rutto 33 mins ago
Athletics
Eldoret City Marathon to have a bigger 10km fun run
Athletics
'School boy' Tebogo promises to teach his seniors a lesson at Kip Keino Classic
Athletics
Kirui, Kibiwott to renew rivalry at Kip Keino Classic
Athletics
Experienced athletes set to face upcoming stars at Eldoret City Marathon