Tottenham 3-2 Atlético Madrid (5-7 AGG): Goals from Randal Kolo Muani and Xavi Simons gave Spurs hope, but they were denied twice by their Spanish opponents and won later in the night.
Spurs’ first win under manager Igor Tudor despite being outside Europe (Image: Getty Images)
They at least put up some fight and got their first win under coach Igor Tudor. However, Tottenham were ultimately eliminated from the Champions League.
At least they fought and showed some pride to get the win later that night and drive the stadium behind their team, but it wasn’t enough.
This was surprising as there were widespread empty seats in Tottenham’s magnificent stadium and this could be the last Champions League match for some time.
The attendance was 49,568, more than 10,000 below capacity, but that’s the current state of the club. A disgruntled, dissatisfied, and angry fanbase.
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The first leg in Madrid was embarrassing, but this was about regaining some pride. And they did it. They built on the spirit they showed against Liverpool on Sunday to snatch a draw.
Even without the injured Richarlison and Dominic Solanke, Spurs looked like a team with something to prove.
If the 5-2 first leg in Madrid was the low point, caretaker manager Tudor looks set to finally pick up Spurs’ lost soul and turn them into something resembling a team again.
What fans want is courage and fight. Tottenham’s players showed it on the pitch, and the fans in the stadium cheered for the first time in a while.
To be fair to Tottenham, their European performance is completely out of proportion to their dismal domestic performance. Their last win was against Eintracht Frankfurt on January 28th, and they automatically qualified for the final round.
Xavi Simons celebrates his first goal (Image: Getty Images)
Matthijs Tell had his best game in a Spurs uniform – even if there were still elements of frustration in his game.
It was Tell who provided the assist for Randall Kolo Muani, but the Spurs forward should have squared the ball at another opportunity, but in his selfish pursuit of glory his shot was saved.
Perhaps that’s the story of Tottenham’s season. But this time, they at least embarked on a new chapter. In the end, they show fight and determination.
Tottenham equalized after 30 minutes. It was Tell who supplied a wonderful curling cross that Kolo Muani floated into the air before curling his header into the bottom corner.
The stadium came alive. Tottenham fans and players believed. Twice Tell was denied by Atletico goalkeeper Juan Russo. Teru missed the chance to play again at Kolo Muani, where he would have certainly had a shot at scoring.
Randall Kolo Muani leads Spurs to a 1-0 win (Image: Europa Press via Getty Images)
Shortly after half-time, Atlético regained a three-goal lead and the game was tied again. Julian Alvarez led the break, reversing Xavi Simmons.
Spurs called a foul. Ademola Lookman replaced Alvarez, and Alvarez was given time and space to make three touches and fire into the top corner. Simmons was furious. Tudor was booked for the protest, but the goal was saved.
However, in keeping with the atmosphere, Simmons didn’t falter and reacted in the best way possible just five minutes later. Archie Gray laid the ball off and Simmons brought the stadium to life again with a brilliant low shot into the top corner.
But Tottenham’s hopes and fights were extinguished. And the architect was Alvarez. He swung over the corner at the near post and David Hanko’s sharp header curled in at the near post for the decisive equalizer.
Simons added a second goal with a penalty in the final minute, but Atlético will face Barcelona in the quarter-finals.
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