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Tottenham Hotspur took the difficult path (as they often do), but Ange Postecoglou's side did just enough to overturn their first-leg deficit with a 3-1 victory (3-2 on aggregate) over AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League round of 16 on Thursday.
MORE – Latest Champions League scores, knockout stage bracket
Wilson Odobert was scored twice on the night, first to pull Spurs level in the 26th minute and then to put them (back) ahead (for good) in the 74th — both assisted by Dominic Solanke. James Maddison got on the scoresheet as well just after halftime, and everything appeared to be going so well — too well.
Odobert and Lucas Bergvall were caught between two minds in the 63rd minute, as the Frenchman raced back to recover the ball and seemingly snuff out any danger of an AZ Alkmaar counter-attack, only both players seemed to assume the other would pick up the ball and play it forward — and neither did. Bergvall played it back to an unsuspecting Odobert and the ball fell to Peer Koopmeiners and he made no mistake with a powerful striker from the edge of the box.
Throughout the game there were glimpses of the high-intensity, attacking football that Postecoglou's teams are known to play, but there were still too many moments of uncertainty and hesitancy when decisive action was required. Solanke and Cristian Romero played all 90 minutes after returning from injury in recent weeks, and Micky van de Ven got 60 minutes under his belt before coming off in a pre-planned substitution. Coincidentally, Spurs' defensive mix-up occurred on the left side of defense less than three minutes after his departure.
Up next is a clash with Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt, who reached the quarterfinals with a resounding 4-1 victory (6-2 on aggregate) over Ajax.
FotMob.com
Goalscorers: Wilson Odobert (27', 74'), James Maddison (48'), Peer Koopmeiners (63')
Vicario - Porro - Romero, Van de Ven, Spence - Sarr, Bergvall, Maddison - Odobert, Son, Solanke
Owusu-Oduro - Maikuma, Joes, Penetra, Moller Wolfe - Buurmeester, Clasie, Koopmeiners - Sadiq, Poku, Parrott
Kick off time: 4pm ET Thursday (March 13)
Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium — London
TV/Streaming: Paramount+
Spurs were not only beaten 1-0 in last week's away leg, but they were (un)comfortably second-best on the night and lucky to escape with just a one-goal deficit. It was an alarming performance from a side that desperately needs to impress in a competition that they are widely expected to contest, if not win. As their season spiraled out of control due to a months-long injury crisis, Ange Postecoglou always had the cup competitions to point to as a reason for optimism. Then, they went out of the League Cup in the semifinals and the FA Cup just days later. Now, Spurs sit 13th in the Premier League table (eight points off the top half) and on the brink of going out of the Europa League in their first round of the knockouts.
If you're searching for a hopeful Spurs angle, look no further than the recent returns of Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero and Dominic Solanke, all of whom should reasonably be expected to start the second leg after playing 30, 60 and 90 minutes, respectively, in a 2-2 draw with Bournemouth over the weekend. The center backs are undeniably most important for Postecoglou's side, as they provide not only the best cover at the back but a greater ability to play the ball out of the back in possession. Spurs had a nightmare of a time against AZ Almkaar's press in the first leg and found passing the ball into the final third, let alone scoring a goal, an impossible task.
OUT: Dejan Kulusevski (foot), Kevin Danso (hamstring), Rodrigo Bentancur (suspension), Richarlison (calf), Radu Dragusin (torn ACL)
OUT: Sven Mijnans (achilles), Mayckel Lahdo (foot) | QUESTIONABLE: Ruben van Bommel (leg), Denso Kasius (fitness), Mexx Meerdink (hamstring), Jayden Addai (ankle)
It won't be clean and it won't be straightforward (anything but, in fact), but over the course of 90 minutes (maybe 120) Spurs' quality of depth will do just enough to see them through. Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 AZ Alkmaar (3-2 on aggregate).
Continue reading...
MORE – Latest Champions League scores, knockout stage bracket
Wilson Odobert was scored twice on the night, first to pull Spurs level in the 26th minute and then to put them (back) ahead (for good) in the 74th — both assisted by Dominic Solanke. James Maddison got on the scoresheet as well just after halftime, and everything appeared to be going so well — too well.
Odobert and Lucas Bergvall were caught between two minds in the 63rd minute, as the Frenchman raced back to recover the ball and seemingly snuff out any danger of an AZ Alkmaar counter-attack, only both players seemed to assume the other would pick up the ball and play it forward — and neither did. Bergvall played it back to an unsuspecting Odobert and the ball fell to Peer Koopmeiners and he made no mistake with a powerful striker from the edge of the box.
Throughout the game there were glimpses of the high-intensity, attacking football that Postecoglou's teams are known to play, but there were still too many moments of uncertainty and hesitancy when decisive action was required. Solanke and Cristian Romero played all 90 minutes after returning from injury in recent weeks, and Micky van de Ven got 60 minutes under his belt before coming off in a pre-planned substitution. Coincidentally, Spurs' defensive mix-up occurred on the left side of defense less than three minutes after his departure.
Up next is a clash with Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt, who reached the quarterfinals with a resounding 4-1 victory (6-2 on aggregate) over Ajax.
Player ratings - Tottenham Hotspur vs AZ Alkmaar
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FotMob.com
What’s next?
- Fulham vs Tottenham Hotspur — Sunday, 9:30 am ET (Premier League)
- Ajax vs AZ Alkmaar — Sunday, 11:45 am ET (Eredivisie)
- Tottenham Hotspur vs Eintracht Frankfurt in UEL QFs (April 10/17)
Tottenham Hotspur vs AZ Alkmaar live updates - by Andy Edwards
Tottenham Hotspur vs AZ Alkmaar final score: 3-1 (2-2 agg.)
Goalscorers: Wilson Odobert (27', 74'), James Maddison (48'), Peer Koopmeiners (63')
GOAL! Spurs 3-1 (3-2 agg.) AZ Alkmaar: Odobert atones for his mistake to reclaim the lead (74')
Wilson Odobert puts the final touch on the well-worked Spurs attackpic.twitter.com/vvb8CIJNXH
— CBS Sports Golazo️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 13, 2025
GOAL! Spurs 2-1 (2-2 agg.) AZ Alkmaar: Koopmeiners pounces on Odobert, Bergball mix-up (63')
AZ Alkmaar's Peer Koopmeiners makes THE MOST of a gift at the back from Spurs to level the tie on agg. pic.twitter.com/pJkn93T28P
— CBS Sports Golazo
GOAL! Spurs 2-0 (2-1 agg.) AZ Alkmaar: Maddison finishes after Son finds him in the box (48')
Heung-min Son James Maddison
A perfect assist, a clinical finish as Spurs take the lead pic.twitter.com/VJN3Uboxb6
— CBS Sports Golazo
GOAL! Spurs 1-0 (1-1 agg.) AZ Alkmaar: Odobert slams home Solanke’s pass to level the tie (27')
Spurs’ high press pays off as Dominic Solanke finds Wilson Odobert who drills it into the back of the net! pic.twitter.com/e5B5W9myXn
— CBS Sports Golazo
Tottenham Hotspur starting lineup
Vicario - Porro - Romero, Van de Ven, Spence - Sarr, Bergvall, Maddison - Odobert, Son, Solanke
AZ Alkmaar starting lineup
Owusu-Oduro - Maikuma, Joes, Penetra, Moller Wolfe - Buurmeester, Clasie, Koopmeiners - Sadiq, Poku, Parrott
How to watch Tottenham Hotspur vs AZ Alkmaar live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 4pm ET Thursday (March 13)
Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium — London
TV/Streaming: Paramount+
Spurs were not only beaten 1-0 in last week's away leg, but they were (un)comfortably second-best on the night and lucky to escape with just a one-goal deficit. It was an alarming performance from a side that desperately needs to impress in a competition that they are widely expected to contest, if not win. As their season spiraled out of control due to a months-long injury crisis, Ange Postecoglou always had the cup competitions to point to as a reason for optimism. Then, they went out of the League Cup in the semifinals and the FA Cup just days later. Now, Spurs sit 13th in the Premier League table (eight points off the top half) and on the brink of going out of the Europa League in their first round of the knockouts.
If you're searching for a hopeful Spurs angle, look no further than the recent returns of Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero and Dominic Solanke, all of whom should reasonably be expected to start the second leg after playing 30, 60 and 90 minutes, respectively, in a 2-2 draw with Bournemouth over the weekend. The center backs are undeniably most important for Postecoglou's side, as they provide not only the best cover at the back but a greater ability to play the ball out of the back in possession. Spurs had a nightmare of a time against AZ Almkaar's press in the first leg and found passing the ball into the final third, let alone scoring a goal, an impossible task.
Tottenham Hotspur team news, focus
OUT: Dejan Kulusevski (foot), Kevin Danso (hamstring), Rodrigo Bentancur (suspension), Richarlison (calf), Radu Dragusin (torn ACL)
AZ Alkmaar team news, focus
OUT: Sven Mijnans (achilles), Mayckel Lahdo (foot) | QUESTIONABLE: Ruben van Bommel (leg), Denso Kasius (fitness), Mexx Meerdink (hamstring), Jayden Addai (ankle)
Tottenham Hotspur vs AZ Alkmaar prediction
It won't be clean and it won't be straightforward (anything but, in fact), but over the course of 90 minutes (maybe 120) Spurs' quality of depth will do just enough to see them through. Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 AZ Alkmaar (3-2 on aggregate).
Continue reading...
