When Lucas Bergvall, 18‑year‑old midfielder of Tottenham Hotspur inadvertently turned a corner‑kick into his own net, AZ Alkmaar walked away with a 1‑0 lead at the AFAS Stadion on . The shock starter came in the 18th minute, putting the Dutch side in a commanding position for the first leg of the UEFA Europa League Round of 16. Fans in Alkmaar celebrated while London supporters were left to wonder how a club that had previously beaten them 1‑0 in October 2024 could now look so out of sorts.
It wasn’t a fancy finish or a set‑piece masterpiece; it was a mis‑communication. Former Tottenham striker Troy Parrott, now plying his trade at AZ Alkmaar, sent a low cross into the box. Bergvall, scrambling to clear, slipped and shoved the ball past his own keeper. The goal arrived with a roar from the Dutch faithful and a collective sigh from the Tottenham contingent, who had yet to register a shot on target in the first half.
Statistically, the numbers painted a bleak picture for the London side. By halftime, Tottenham possessed 38% of the ball, managed just three attempts – none on target – while AZ dominated the aerial duels (12 to 5). The Dutch backline, marshalled by veteran centre‑back Joris Kramer, stayed compact, forcing the visitors into long‑range attempts that barely rattled the frame.
Fast‑forward a week to , and the mood at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was electric. The home crowd, aware of the narrow margin, demanded a response. Wilson Odobert, the 22‑year‑old French winger, delivered a spring‑board performance, slipping the ball past the AZ keeper in the 26th minute and doubling his tally in the 74th.
James Maddison added a third, slotting home from the edge of the box after a quick one‑two with Odobert. AZ managed a consolation strike through Peer Koopmeiners in the 63rd minute, but the damage was done – Tottenham walked out 3‑1 winners, sealing a 3‑2 aggregate triumph.
Post‑match, Tottenham manager Antonio Conte praised his side’s resilience: “We were nowhere near the level we need in Alkmaar, but the fans gave us a lift and the players showed the character to turn it around.”
Both legs highlighted the stark contrast between home and away form. AZ’s disciplined, low‑block system at the AFAS Stadion frustrated Tottenham’s high‑press, resulting in a meagre 1 shot on target for the visitors. In London, Conte opted for a more expansive 4‑3‑3, exploiting the width of his wingers and pressing high to force errors.
Experts noted that the dramatic swing underscores the “home‑advantage paradox” often seen in European knock‑outs. Professor Claudia Ríos of the University of Leeds remarked, “Statistical models have long shown a roughly 0.4‑goal boost for teams playing the second leg at home, especially when they fell behind first.”
Tottenham’s passage to the quarter‑finals sets up a clash with either Sevilla FC or Bayer Leverkusen, depending on the outcome of the other Round of 16 tie. Their revival injects fresh excitement into the English crowd, who have been critical of the club’s inconsistent European outings over the past two seasons.
For AZ Alkmaar, the exit is a bitter pill, but the first‑leg performance reminded observers why they have become a “giant‑killer” in recent years. Their tactical discipline, honed under head coach Johannes Eijkelkamp, will likely see them regroup for the domestic Eredivisie title race.
As the Europa League marches toward its spring climax, a few narratives stand out. First, whether Tottenham can sustain the attacking fluency shown at home against a technically superior opponent. Second, the continued rise of Dutch clubs like AZ, who have proven they can compete with the continent’s traditional powerhouses. Lastly, the role of young talent — Bergvall’s own‑goal misstep, Odobert’s brace, and Parrott’s renaissance — underscores how the next generation is already shaping Europe’s club football.
The 18‑minute own‑goal gave AZ a cushion that forced Tottenham to chase the game in the second leg. Statistically, teams trailing after the first leg win only 34% of the time, so the early setback raised the stakes dramatically for the London side.
Wilson Odobert’s brace and James Maddison’s midfield drive turned the tide in London, while Peer Koopmeiners’ late goal kept AZ’s hopes alive. On the defensive side, Joris Kramer’s organizing presence helped AZ keep a clean sheet in the first leg.
Progressing to the quarter‑finals restores confidence after a shaky start, and it keeps the club’s UEFA coefficient healthy. A deep run could also ease financial pressures and bolster Antonio Conte’s position after fan criticism.
While the aggregate loss ended their campaign, the first‑leg performance showed they can stifle top‑tier offenses. Their disciplined approach could translate into a strong push for the Eredivisie title and a possible return to European knockout stages next season.
Tottenham faces either Sevilla or Bayer Leverkusen in the quarter‑finals, with the first leg scheduled for early April. AZ returns to Eredivisie action against Ajax on 20 March, a crucial clash for their domestic title hopes.