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 loss left Spurs with a challenging second leg at home, as they need to recover from the 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 squeezed past Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, giving the home side a 1-0 lead. This early setback left Spurs finding it difficult to regain composure and get into their usual flow.

Despite having 61% possession, Tottenham were unable to capitalize on the ball. Their offensive efforts were lackluster, with only one shot on target throughout the match. Key players, including Son Heung-Min, James Maddison, and Brennan Johnson, were unable to create chances, and Spurs were lacking creativity in the final third.
 

Key Moments:

Spurs’ frustration was palpable as they failed to break down Alkmaar’s defense. In the second half, Tottenham pressed higher, 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 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 far from the level required and acknowledged that his team had failed to show the required intensity.

"We were lacking in sharpness and urgency in our play," Postecoglou said. "It’s a hard result to swallow, but we still have a chance at home in the second leg."
 

Looking Ahead:

The tie is still open, and Tottenham will need to produce a much-improved performance when they host AZ Alkmaar at their home ground for the return leg. With the one-goal deficit and slim margin for error, Spurs will need to improve their offensive play to progress to the quarter-finals.

AZ Alkmaar will be feeling optimistic after securing the narrow advantage, but they will need to remain cautious when they head to London. With the first leg win, 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 comeback in the second leg as their team aims to keep their Europa League campaign alive.