In a disappointing Europa League match on March 6, 2025, Tottenham Hotspur were defeated 1-0 by AZ Alkmaar in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League Round of 16 tie at the AFAS Stadion. The defeat left Spurs with a tough task ahead at home, as they need to overturn a one-goal deficit to stay alive in the Europa League.
 

Match Overview:

The match was sealed by an unfortunate own goal from Tottenham’s Lucas Bergvall in the 18th minute. A ball from Alkmaar’s Jordy Clasie deflected off Bergvall and slipped past Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, giving the home side a 1-0 lead. This early setback left Spurs struggling to regain composure and get into their usual flow.

Despite having dominance in possession, Tottenham were unable to capitalize on the ball. Their attacks were lackluster, with only one shot on target throughout the match. Tottenham's main stars, including Son Heung-Min, James Maddison, and Brennan Johnson, were unable to make an impact, and Spurs were largely ineffective in the final third.
 

Key Moments:

Spurs’ frustration was evident as they couldn’t break through Alkmaar’s defense. In the second half, Tottenham tried to increase the pressure, but their delivery was often lacking, and they couldn’t create meaningful chances. Late in the game, James Maddison had a chance to equalize, but his powerful shot was blocked by Alkmaar’s goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen, who made an important save to preserve the lead.
 

สเปอร์ส บุกพ่าย อาแซด อัลค์มาร์ 0-1 ยูโรปาลีก นัดแรก

Post-Match Reaction:

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou was disappointed with his team’s performance, admitting that the loss was "a disappointing night overall." He stated that Spurs were far from the level required and acknowledged that his team had not shown the needed urgency.

"We lacked sharpness and pace in our play," Postecoglou said. "It’s a tough one to take, but we still have a opportunity at home in the second leg."
 

Looking Ahead:

The tie is far from over, and Tottenham will need to step up their game when they host AZ Alkmaar at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the second leg. With the away goal disadvantage and few opportunities, Spurs will need to find their attacking rhythm to progress to the quarter-finals.

AZ Alkmaar will remain confident after securing the slight edge, but they will need to remain cautious when they head to London. With the 1-0 lead, the Dutch side has one foot in the quarter-finals, but they will know that Spurs are capable of overturning the deficit at home.

Tottenham fans will be hoping for a strong response in the second leg as their team aims to keep their Europa League campaign alive.