Tottenham Hotspur missed a prime opportunity to solidify their UEFA Europa League (UEL) knockout stage aspirations, conceding a stoppage-time equalizer in a 2-2 draw with AS Roma at the Stadio Olimpico.
Roma’s evening got off to a disastrous start as Spurs took the lead within two minutes. A foul by Mats Hummels on Pape Matar Sarr in the box initially went unnoticed by referee Glenn Nyberg, but VAR intervened to award a penalty. Heung-min Son confidently converted, putting the visitors in front. Despite their bright start, Spurs failed to capitalize on their momentum, and Roma struck back through Evan Ndicka, who headed in a precise cross from Paulo Dybala.
The hosts briefly thought they had turned the game around when Stephan El Shaarawy volleyed into the bottom corner, only for VAR to disallow the goal for offside. Spurs nearly punished Roma moments later, with Brennan Johnson’s goal-bound effort blocked by Angeliño, followed by a stunning save from Mile Svilar to deny Dominic Solanke. Spurs eventually restored their lead, with Johnson finishing off a cutback from Dejan Kulusevski.
Tottenham had chances to extend their advantage but squandered key opportunities before halftime. In the second half, Roma pushed hard for an equalizer, with Artem Dovbyk and Manu Koné both finding the net only to be ruled offside. Spurs came close to sealing the match late on when Solanke’s header struck the crossbar, but their inability to close out the game left them vulnerable.
In the dying moments, Hummels redeemed himself for his early error, converting Angeliño’s precise delivery to salvage a point for Roma. Spurs remain in a favorable position to progress, but the missed chance to climb into the top eight leaves their path to the last 16 more precarious. Meanwhile, Roma’s campaign remains on shaky ground, with the draw offering little comfort in their bid for progression.
