Wilson Odobert scored twice as Tottenham Hotspur overturned a first-leg deficit to defeat AZ Alkmaar and secure a place in the Europa League quarter-finals. The victory keeps Spurs’ hopes of silverware alive in a season where they sit 13th in the Premier League and have been eliminated from both domestic cups.
Tottenham, trailing 1-0 from the first leg in the Netherlands, were much improved at home. Odobert, a £25m summer signing from Burnley, opened the scoring with his first goal for the club, firing into the top corner after being set up by Dominic Solanke.
Spurs took the lead in the tie early in the second half. James Maddison exchanged passes with Son Heung-min before curling a shot home.
However, Tottenham gifted AZ an aggregate equalizer with a defensive mix-up. Odobert allowed the ball to run to Lucas Bergvall, who kicked it against his teammate, allowing Peer Koopmeiners to drill home.
Odobert, though, atoned for his error by scoring the decisive goal. A flowing team move, starting in Tottenham’s own half, culminated in Djed Spence’s cross being flicked on by Solanke for Odobert to tap in from close range.
AZ had late chances to equalize. Troy Parrott’s effort was saved by Guglielmo Vicario, and Yves Bissouma cleared Mees de Wit’s rebound off the line. Mexx Meerdink also headed over when Parrott might have been better placed.
Spurs Show Both Quality and Frailty
The match encapsulated Tottenham’s season: moments of attacking quality interspersed with defensive vulnerability.
The positive start saw Son blocking a clearance. Solanke grabbed the ball, running to the halfway line, and unselfishly square it to Odobert.
Son, the Spurs captain, was a bright spark, causing problems for the AZ defense and playing a key role in Maddison’s goal. Maddison’s goal involve a classic one-two.
However, the defensive lapse that led to AZ’s equalizer highlighted Tottenham’s ongoing fragility.
The victory provides manager Ange Postecoglou with some breathing space, with the Europa League now representing their only remaining chance of silverware. In a further boost, first-choice center-backs Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven started together for the first time since December.
Tottenham will face Eintracht Frankfurt, who defeated Ajax 6-2 on aggregate, in the quarter-finals on April 10th and 17th.
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