Tottenham Hotspur secured their place in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League after overcoming AZ Alkmaar with a 3:1 victory at home on March 14, 2025. Following their earlier 0:1 defeat, Tottenham’s aggregate score of 3:2 over both legs propelled them forward, showcasing their ability to bounce back under pressure.
The match saw standout performances from Vilson Odobert, who netted two goals (26', 74'), and James Maddison, who contributed another goal (48'). Although AZ Alkmaar managed to find the net through Per Kopmeiners (63'), it was not enough to turn the tide for the visitors.
Head coach Ange Postecoglou expressed satisfaction with his team's performance post-match. Referring to the challenging wake-up call of starting the game with the aggregate deficit, he said, "I really liked how the guys managed the task today. It’s not easy when you start the game trailing 0:1. You can’t afford to give your opponents too many chances. We started well, calmly controlling the game.” He also admired his team’s reaction after conceding, emphasizing their resilience.
Tottenham's victory was just part of the action on the night, as their compatriots Manchester United also advanced with authority, defeating Real Sociedad 4:1 with the aggregate score standing at 5:2. Overcoming the challenge posed by their Spanish rivals, United's performance was highlighted by goals from Bruno Fernandes, who scored twice, and additional strikes from Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho. The outcome demonstrated United's command at Old Trafford.
“It was great to see the team perform at this level. We needed to win, and we did it convincingly,” United's manager commented following their successful advancement to the next round, underscoring the significance of their progression as they now gear up to face Lyon.
Lyon's own qualifications were no less impressive, as they steamrolled FC Steaua with a 4:0 demolition, resulting in another aggregate success of 7:1. The French side, powered by their decisively strong offense, will serve as formidable opponents for the English giants when they clash next.
The upcoming quarter-final stage will commence on April 10, 2025, with Bude-Glimt kicking off against Lazio at 18:45 CET, followed by three other fixtures at 21:00 CET. Tottenham will face Eintracht Frankfurt, and Manchester United’s showdown with Lyon promises to be particularly thrilling, considering the strengths each side has demonstrated.
These matches come at the same time as the semifinals are slated for May 1 and May 8, leading up to the UEFA Europa League final, which is set to take place on May 21, 2025, at the iconic San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao, Spain. The winner not only takes home the coveted trophy, considered the heaviest club trophy from UEFA, but also secures entry to the Champions League 2026/27 season if they haven’t already qualified through national leagues. They will also get the chance to compete in the UEFA Super Cup against the winner of the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League.
The results of the 1/8 finals have showcased remarkable performances from top clubs across various leagues. Other notable matches included Eintracht Frankfurt defeating Ajax (6:2) and Lazio overcoming Viktoria Plzeň (3:2), sending respective clubs down their pathways to European glory.
Fans now eagerly await the quarter-finals. With strong representation from clubs across England, Spain, Germany, Italy, Scotland, Norway, and France, the stakes are high, and the competition is fierce. With each team eager to fight their way to Bilbao, anticipation builds as Europe’s elite clubs prepare for the challenge of the knockout stages.