Big Ange and Spurs fans breathe a sigh of relief after brace by Odobert secures Euro comeback win
By Jack Burford at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Spurs 3 AZ Alkmaar 1 ((3-2)
Attendance - 58,302
On a night that mattered most for Tottenham Hotspur, they got the job done against an impressive AZ Alkmaar side.
Every Spurs fan, player, and most importantly, Ange Postecoglou, could finally breathe a huge sigh of relief as the final whistle blew in North London.
Spurs knew coming into this game that their season would be judged on how their Europa League campaign finished, and with the pressure continuously building on Postecoglou, it was summer signing Wilson Odobert who would prove to be the hero. His brace secured Tottenham’s place in the Europa League quarter-finals.
The home side opened the scoring in the 25th minute, with Son Heung-min's pressing from the front forcing a deflected pass. The ball was gratefully received by Dominic Solanke, who calmly slid it through to Odobert, and the Frenchman dispatched it coolly for his first of the evening.
Spurs continued to dominate possession in the first half, looking to dictate the game, but went into the break with the score level on aggregate.
Thankfully, they didn’t have to wait long for their second of the evening. Odobert’s direct run created space for James Maddison and Son, who combined to create a shooting opportunity for the English number 10, who calmly slotted the ball past the onlooking Rome Jayden Osowu-Oduro.
Just as Spurs seemed to have a firm grip on the tie, Peer Koopmeiners pounced on a defensive mix-up between Odobert and Lucas Bergvall. The Dutch midfielder seized the opportunity, shooting emphatically past Guglielmo Vicario, leaving him helpless.
With the game on a knife edge, it needed a moment of magic — and once again, Odobert delivered. Tottenham’s third goal encapsulated everything positive about ‘AngeBall’.
The move started from the back, passing through the lines to Maddison, who dropped a shoulder and wriggled out of trouble to release Son. Son found an overlapping Djed Spence, who put in a teasing cross that was flicked on by Solanke to find Tottenham's star man of the evening, Odobert, who tapped it home into an empty net.
AZ Alkmaar continued to search for an equaliser with little time remaining, but Spurs’ defence held firm, leading to a much-needed win in Europe.
Tonight’s victory will bring much-needed hope and positivity to their remaining Premier League and Europa League fixtures.
Postecoglou will be hoping there is light at the end of the tunnel after a season riddled with injuries and bad fortune.
Spurs will now face Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League quarter-finals, commencing on April 10.
With a fully fit squad and belief restored, the club will be hoping this is just the beginning of their European adventure.
Starting Lineups:
Tottenham: Vicario, Spence, VDV, Romero, Porro, Sarr, Bergvall, Maddison, Odobert, Solanke, Son
AZ Lineup: Osowu-oduro, Makiuma, Goes, Penetra, Wolfe, Clasie, Buurmester, Koopmeiners, Sadiq,Parrott, Poku
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