Tottenham Hotspur's hopes of ending a 17-year trophy drought remain alive thanks to a 3-1 win over AZ Alkmaar in the second leg of their Europa League last-16 tie, which sealed a 3-2 aggregate victory.
Following a dismal first-leg performance which the Spurs board allegedly told Ange Postecoglou was "unacceptable", the hosts came out with a renewed sense of vigour and levelled the tie on aggregate through Wilson Odobert in the first half.
The French attacker capitalised on a rearguard catastrophe from AZ to put Tottenham ahead on the night, and the North London giants also delivered a hammer blow at the start of a frenzied second half through James Maddison to lead overall.
Maarten Martens's men did make the most of Spurs' own defensive calamity to level the tie on aggregate through Peer Koopmeiners, but an astonishing team goal from the hosts saw Odobert bag his second of the evening to restore the visitors' slender advantage.
Late pressure from AZ amounted to nothing as Tottenham set up a mouthwatering quarter-final with Eintracht Frankfurt, which could precede a semi-final with Bodo/Glimt or Lazio, who topped the league-phase table.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Imago
Tottenham reportedly had no intention of giving Postecoglou the boot even if his side could not do the business against AZ, but he would have been under no illusions that his position would have been under more threat than ever with a crushing exit.
After getting a measure of the response he was after in his side's Premier League comeback against Bournemouth, the Australian witnessed a performance more like his earliest days in the Tottenham dugout; maybe his players also thought they were playing for their manager's job.
Maddison made the Lilywhites purr, Son put in one of his liveliest performances of 2025, Micky van de Ven produced one of his customary bursts of speed to stop a promising AZ attack and Odobert made himself the hero with two well-taken finishes.
Tottenham's third and crucial goal epitomised what Postecoglou wants Spurs to be about - he has just not always had the players at his disposal able to execute such a magnificent move - although AZ had their fair share of moments and came agonisingly close to forcing extra time as Yves Bissouma produced a pivotal goal-line block.
Spurs still need to eradicate the defensive blunders from their game and will no doubt face more taxing tests as the competition progresses, but for now, Postecoglou's second-season trophy prophecy could still be fulfilled.
TOTTENHAM VS. AZ HIGHLIGHTS
Wilson Odobert goal vs. AZ (26th min, Tottenham 1-0 AZ)
A defensive calamity from AZ ⚠️
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 13, 2025
Wilson Odobert capitalises to bring Spurs level in the tie 🎯
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/2a0MHndise
Disaster for AZ, delirium for Spurs!
A calamity all round for the Dutch side, as visiting defender Wouter Goes collects an overhit pass near the touchline and is put under pressure by Son Heung-min, who blocks the 20-year-old's attempted clearance.
The ricochet falls extremely kindly for Dominic Solanke in the left-hand side of the box, and the Englishman squares for Odobert to finish in the top corner with aplomb!
James Maddison goal vs. AZ (48th min, Tottenham 2-0 AZ)
Son Heung-min and James Maddison link up 🔗
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 13, 2025
Tottenham turn the tie around!
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/dIQj3usZqv
The tide has officially been turned! AZ are caught in possession once again and Odobert leads a Tottenham counter-attack, and the Lilywhites eventually work the ball out to Son on the left.
The South Korean returns the favour to Maddison, who has just enough time inside the box to set the ball on his right foot and curl a fine strike into the bottom corner!
Peer Koopmeiners goal vs. Tottenham (63rd min, Tottenham 2-1 AZ)
A miscommunication between Lucas Bergvall and Wilson Odobert allows Peer Koopmeiners to pounce for AZ Alkmaar 😬
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 13, 2025
It's 2-2 on aggregate!
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/niz494tZMx
Defensive disasters all around at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium! Odobert seems to snuff out an AZ attack as his interception falls at the feet of Lucas Bergvall, who seeks a simple pass back to Cristian Romero.
However, Bergvall's pass inadvertently hits Odobert on the edge of his own box, presenting Koopmeiners with a gilt-edged chance to level the tie on aggregate, one that he does not pass up as he rifles a shot into the far corner.
An own goal in the first leg, a fatal mistake in the second, Bergvall will not remember these two games fondly at all!
Wilson Odobert goal vs. AZ (74th min, Tottenham 3-1 AZ)
From back to front... what a goal by Tottenham 😮💨
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 13, 2025
Wilson Odobert at the double — Spurs back in front in the tie!
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/9MTEQcC1le
Have we just witnessed 2025 Tottenham or 2009 Barcelona? This will go down as one of the best team goals Spurs have scored in the Postecoglou era!
Playing out from the back, Maddison's exquisite turn gives him acres of green grass to drive into, and Spurs attack down the left again, as Djed Spence makes a fine overlapping run.
The full-back cuts back for Solanke, whose outrageous backheel assist is on the money for Odobert to tap home at the back stick for his second, Spurs' third, and potentially the goal that sends his side into the quarter-finals!
MAN OF THE MATCH - WILSON ODOBERT
© Imago
There were individual masterclasses aplenty on Thursday night - Son, Solanke, Spence and Maddison were all on the ball - but Odobert's game-winning brace makes him a worthy man-of-the-match winner.
The Frenchman took his first finish expertly before managing to stay onside for the pivotal third for Spurs, while also completing three successful dribbles from four attempts; AZ's goal was not his fault whatsoever either.
TOTTENHAM VS. AZ MATCH STATS
Possession: Tottenham 60%-40% AZ
Shots: Tottenham 17-10 AZ
Shots on target: Tottenham 4-2 AZ
Corners: Tottenham 5-2 AZ
Fouls: Tottenham 6-12 AZ
BEST STATS
5 - Tottenham Hotspur are the first side in major European competition history to have five players under the age of 21 score a goal in the same season (Lankshear, Ajayi, Moore, Scarlett & Odobert). Opportunities. pic.twitter.com/LyqwQ7lhtD
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 13, 2025
19 - Aged 19 years and one day, Archie Gray becomes the youngest member of his family to play 10 games in major European competitions, younger than his grandfather Frank (20 years, 129 days) and great-uncle Eddie (19 years, 259 days) were on their 10th games. Dynasty. pic.twitter.com/LEhiqvxsHA
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 13, 2025
WHAT NEXT?
Facing one last Premier League test before the international break, Tottenham Hotspur journey to London rivals Fulham on Sunday afternoon, aiming to reduce the gap between themselves and the top half of the table.
AZ also face a challenging assignment on the road this weekend, possibly the most daunting the Eredivisie could throw up as they take on league leaders Ajax in Amsterdam.
Ben Knapton
