Tottenham Hotspur have booked their place in the Europa League quarter-finals after overturning a first-leg deficit against AZ Alkmaar. With their eyes now firmly set on European silverware, Spurs must navigate a tough test in the next round. Let’s find out who.
Tottenham Hotspur’s journey to the quarter-finals was anything but straightforward. Having fallen to a disappointing 1-0 defeat in the first leg against AZ Alkmaar, the pressure was on Ange Postecoglou and his side to deliver at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The performance in the Netherlands left much to be desired. Spurs lacked their usual fluency, and questions were raised about their ability to respond under pressure. However, with the home crowd behind them, there was a renewed sense of urgency heading into the second leg.
Ahead of the game, club captain Heung-min Son issued a rallying cry to his Spurs teammates, stressing that talent alone would not be enough. He called for a collective effort, demanding intensity and determination from the first whistle to the last.
Tottenham fight back to make Europa quarter-final
Tottenham responded in exactly the manner their captain had demanded. Son led by example, his relentless pressing forcing an error from AZ Alkmaar, allowing Wilson Odobert to fire home the opening goal.
Spurs continued to pile on the pressure, and their efforts paid off as James Maddison, keen to impress ahead of England’s next squad selection, doubled the lead to make it 2-0. The tie took a nervy turn when Lucas Bergvall’s mistake gifted AZ a way back into the game, bringing the score to 2-1.
However, Odobert stepped up once again to settle any nerves, grabbing his second of the night and sealing a 3-1 victory. The result ensured Tottenham’s place in the last eight, where a fresh challenge now awaits.
Eintracht Frankfurt await Spurs in the quarter-finals
With their quarter-final ticket secured, Tottenham now prepare to face German opposition in the form of Eintracht Frankfurt.
The Bundesliga side brushed aside Ajax in their round of 16 tie, claiming a dominant 4-1 second-leg victory to wrap up a 6-2 aggregate win.
Spurs’ route to the Europa League final is beginning to take shape, and with a place in the last eight now confirmed, the belief within the squad will only grow.
Undoubtedly, this was a performance full of character, grit, and determination. Postecoglou’s men stepped up when it mattered most, but the challenge only gets tougher from here.
Eyes are now firmly set on Frankfurt—a clash that will truly test Tottenham’s credentials in the competition.