Tottenham Hotspur secured their place in the quarter-finals of the Europa League with a commanding 3-1 victory over AZ Alkmaar at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Thursday evening, March 13, 2025. After trailing 1-0 from the first leg, Spurs displayed tenacity and skill, overturning the deficit and progressing with a 3-2 aggregate score.
The match was pivotal for Tottenham, who have been grappling with their ambitions for silverware since their last trophy win back in 2008. The pressure was mounting on manager Ange Postecoglou to deliver results, especially after recent lackluster performances left fans questioning the team's prospects. A win against AZ not only provided relief but also brought renewed hope to the supporters.
From the outset, Spurs were intent on making amends for their earlier defeat. Within half an hour, they found the breakthrough. A strong tackle from Son Heung-min forced the ball loose, allowing Dominic Solanke to sidestep defenders and set up Wilson Odobert, who netted his first goal for the club. The Tottenham crowd erupted, and the atmosphere shifted immediately as belief surged through the stands.
After the break, Tottenham maintained their momentum, doubling the lead just after halftime. Son, again pivotal, cut inside and laid the ball off for James Maddison, who curled it expertly past the AZ keeper, finding the far corner. This goal shifted the aggregate score to 2-1 in favor of Spurs, easing the tension on the home side.
But the match was far from settled. AZ Alkmaar were determined to fight back and found their stride when Peer Koopmeiners struck to level the match, forcing the aggregate score to 2-2. The goal came against the run of play and made the last 20 minutes tense for Spurs as they needed another goal to secure qualification.
Tottenham responded decisively. With just over 15 minutes left on the clock, they launched a swift counterattack. Djed Spence raced to the byline, cutting it back for Solanke, who flicked the ball to Odobert, who tapped it home to restore Tottenham's lead. Celebrations ensued as the home side went up 3-2 on aggregate.
Spurs maintained their focus through the closing minutes, even as AZ pressed for another equalizer. Guglielmo Vicario made several important saves, including one from Troy Parrott's substitute appearance, ensuring Tottenham held their advantage. The final whistle confirmed Spurs' passage to the next round, igniting cheers from the home fans who had endured nail-biting tension.
Postecoglou's game plan had paid off, providing his side with much-needed momentum moving forward. "I’m proud of how the lads responded today," Postecoglou stated post-match. "It was important to show character and come back from the disappointment of the first leg. We showed what we can do when we play with belief and aggression."
The match marked the first occasion Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven paired together since December, providing solidity at the back. Romero, who had only just returned from injury, lasted the full 90 minutes, demonstrating resilience. The home side was without the injured Kevin Danso and faced questions about squad depth after Rodrigo Bentancur received suspension-related exclusions due to yellow cards.
Supporters were ecstatic with Odobert's performance, showering him with praise for his contributions, including two goals during this knockout tie. The young Frenchman signaled his readiness to become an integral part of the squad moving forward. Meanwhile, the likes of Son and Maddison lent their experience to steady the club's ambitions.
Having survived this challenging round, Tottenham faces Eintracht Frankfurt next. The quarter-final tie will be another test of Spurs' resolve as they strive to resurrect their season under Postecoglou. The team must continue to build upon their current form if they hope to emerge as strong contenders for the Europa League title.
With the combination of youth and experience working for them, and the return of key players, Spurs will look to channel this victory's energy when they take on Frankfurt. Their upcoming fixture promises to be yet another thrilling encounter as they chase their first trophy since 2008 — and with each game, the hope of turning the season around grows stronger.