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 AFAS Stadion. The defeat left Spurs with a tough task ahead at home, as they need to recover from the one-goal deficit to keep their Europa League hopes alive.
 

Match Overview:

The game 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 squeezed past Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, giving the home side a 1-0 lead. This early setback left Spurs struggling to recover and find their rhythm.

Despite having 61% possession, Tottenham were unable to capitalize on the ball. Their attacks were disjointed, with only one shot on target throughout the match. Key players, including Son Heung-Min, James Maddison, and Brennan Johnson, were unable to make an impact, and Spurs were lacking creativity 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 find the key to unlock Alkmaar’s defense. In the dying minutes, James Maddison had a chance to equalize, but his powerful shot was saved by Alkmaar’s goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen, who produced a crucial stop 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 nowhere near the level we needed to be and acknowledged that his team had failed to show the required intensity.

"We lacked sharpness and urgency 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 still open, and Tottenham will need to step up their game when they host AZ Alkmaar at their home ground for the second leg. With the one-goal deficit and slim margin for error, 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 can turn things around at home.

Tottenham fans will be hoping for a strong response in the second leg as their team fights for a place in the quarter-finals.