Academy graduates Dane Scarlett, Damola Ajayi and Mikey Moore scored their first Spurs goals to secure their side's place in the Europa League last 16 with a 3-0 win over Elfsborg at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
2024/2025 UEFA Europa League
3-0
Match Events
Scarlett replaced an injured Radu Dragusin, who had himself been introduced at half-time, to latch on to an inswinging Dejan Kulusevski cross and head home the breakthrough (70).
Ajayi, who was introduced in the 81st minute, took just over three minutes to mark his debut with a goal, while Moore found the back of the net in injury-time to cap a perfect evening for the Spurs academy.
The win secured fourth spot meaning Tottenham avoid the play-offs and will look forward to a round-of-16 tie against one of Union Saint-Gilloise, AZ Alkmaar, Real Sociedad or Olympiakos.
Spurs were frustrated during the early exchanges by an Elfsborg buoyed by a vibrant travelling support. Their Swedish opponents had only played two competitive games since December 12.
Tottenham's early search for an opener was thwarted by Elfsborg goalkeeper Isak Pettersson who kept out Pape Sarr and Moore in quick succession with a pair of point-blank stops.
The half-time interval brought changes for Spurs with Micky van de Ven, who made his return to the side was replaced by Dragusin while Heung-Min Son and Rodrigo Bentancur also made way.
While the mounting injuries will concern Ange Postecoglou, Tottenham's youngsters delivered to tee off an important run of games. They travel to Brentford on Sunday looking to end a run of four successive Premier League losses before a trip to Liverpool in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final, with both games live on Sky Sports.
Final Europa League table
Here's how the Europa League has finished after eight rounds of fixtures:
Spurs youngsters take centre stage
Ange: 'Tottenham lads' scoring is great for the club
Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou:
"I keep saying that it's been a pretty tough period, particularly in terms of our league form. But there's still been real growth, I believe. It will all come to fruition at a point. I'm just so certain and bullish about that.
"The young players, the growth in our whole group is going to be enormous. It will bear fruit, I've got no doubt about that.
"But right now it's about trying to address the issues we've got at hand. Those three boys and others who've played for us were probably in the terraces at one time so our fans can relate to that.
"We're in a tough spot in the league but I think that would be hugely enjoyable for everyone, just the fact that three young boys, Tottenham lads, have scored on a European night. I think it's just great for the club."
Final Europa League table
Here's how the Europa League has finished after eight rounds of fixtures:
When is the Europa League knockout stage?
Knockout play-offs: February 13 and February 20, 2025
Round of 16: March 6 and March 13, 2025
Quarter-finals: April 10 and April 17, 2025
Semi-finals: May 1 and May 8, 2025
Final: May 21, 2025
Line-ups
Tottenham XI: Son, Ben Davies, Bentancur, Richarlison, Austin, Porro, Pape Sarr, Van de Ven, Gray, Bergvall, Moore
Subs: Fraser Forster, Whiteman, Bissouma, Kulusevski, Dragusin, Dane Scarlett, Dante Cassanova, Lankshear, Rio Kyerematen, Callum Olusesi, Damola Ajayi, Malachi Hardy
Elfsborg XI: Niklas Hult, Sebastian Holmén, Simon Hedlund, Jens Thomasen, Isak Pettersson, Gustav Henriksson, Besfort Zeneli, Ahmed Qasem, Terry Yegbe, Gottfrid Rapp, Jalal Abdulai
Subs: Johan Larsson, Arbër Zeneli, Per Frick, Emil Holten, Rami Kaib, Marcus Bundgaard Sörensen, Eggert Aron Gudmundsson, Ibrahim Buhari, Melker Uppenberg, Ludvig Richtnér, Leo Östman, Frode Aronsson