Tottenham Hotspur produced a comeback performance to defeat AZ Alkmaar 3-1 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, overturning a 1-0 first-leg deficit to win 3-2 on aggregate. Wilson Odobert was the hero of the night, scoring twice as Spurs secured their place in the Europa League quarter-finals.
Tottenham vs AZ Alkmaar: First-Half Action
Spurs knew they needed a fast start to cancel out their first-leg defeat in the Netherlands. However, the match started cautiously, with AZ Alkmaar defending deep.
The breakthrough came in the 26th minute, when Son Heung-min pressed Wouter Goes into a mistake. The loose ball fell to Dominic Solanke, who squared it across the box for Wilson Odobert, leaving the young Frenchman with a simple tap-in to make it 1-0 on the night and 1-1 on aggregate.
Spurs nearly doubled their lead before halftime as Son unleashed a curling effort from distance, but Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro made a crucial save to keep AZ in the tie.
Tottenham vs AZ Alkmaar: Second-Half Turnaround
The hosts wasted no time after the break, striking just three minutes into the second half. Pape Matar Sarr surged forward before laying it off to Son, who teed up James Maddison. The midfielder kept his cool and fired into the bottom corner to give Spurs a 2-0 lead and a 2-1 advantage on aggregate.
Just when it seemed Spurs were in control, AZ fought back in the 63rd minute. A defensive mix-up between Lucas Bergvall and Sarr allowed Peer Koopmeiners to pounce and drill a shot past Guglielmo Vicario, making it 2-1 and bringing AZ back into the contest.
However, Spurs quickly responded to kill off AZ’s hopes. In the 74th minute, Djed Spence surged forward and delivered a precise cross, which Solanke flicked to the back post, where Odobert was waiting to finish off his second goal of the night, restoring Tottenham’s two-goal cushion at 3-1.
AZ almost found a way back in stoppage time as Troy Parrott was through on goal, but Vicario produced a stunning save, ensuring Spurs held onto their 3-1 victory and progressed to the last eight.
Tottenham vs AZ Alkmaar: Key Statistics and Match Insights
- Possession: Tottenham 60% – 40% AZ Alkmaar
- Goal Attempts: Tottenham 17 – 10 AZ Alkmaar
- Expected Goals (xG): Tottenham 2.05 – 1.32 AZ Alkmaar
- Pass Accuracy: Tottenham 84% – 75% AZ Alkmaar
- Shots on Target: Tottenham 4 – 2 AZ Alkmaar
Spurs’ dominance in possession and clinical finishing made the difference, while AZ Alkmaar failed to capitalize on their limited chances.
Tottenham vs AZ Alkmaar: What’s Next?
With the Europa League quarter-finals secured, Spurs will now shift their focus to their Premier League campaign and their next European challenge against Eintracht Frankfurt. AZ Alkmaar, meanwhile, exit the tournament and will concentrate on their domestic league ambitions.
Tottenham vs AZ Alkmaar: Video Highlights
Watch the full highlights of Tottenham’s thrilling 3-1 comeback victory below:
Conclusion
Spurs kept their European trophy hopes alive with a determined performance. Odobert and Son were the difference-makers, guiding Ange Postecoglou’s side into the last eight.
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