Spurs show fight to give Tudor first win but bow out of Champions League
Spurs show fight to give Tudor first win but bow out of Champions League Tottenham’s spirited performance on the night was not enough to take them through to the Champions League quarter-finals, but it showed the fight they will need in their bid to stay in the Premier League. When Randal Kolo Muani scored after half an hour, the Spurs stadium was the loudest it has been all season, with those inside the ground believing their side could pull off an unlikely comeback following their 5-2 first-leg loss. However, a remontada was not on the cards for Igor Tudor’s men.
Julian Alvarez equalised just after the break before Xavi Simons reduced the deficit again before the hour, restoring a glimpse of hope for the north London side. However, David Hancko headed home 15 minutes from time, ending any chance of a Spurs comeback. Simons would later score a 90th minute penalty to earn Spurs the win on the night, Tudor’s first as Spurs boss, with Tottenham showing some of the fight that has evaded them all season.
Tottenham came into the match with a mountain to climb, needing three goals after losing 5-2 in Madrid last week. However, buoyed after Richarlison’s late goal at Anfield that earned them a point against Liverpool , there was a feeling in the stadium that Tottenham could do something special. It seemed as though all that hope had dissipated when Ademola Lookman’s strike rattled the back of the net just five minutes in, but Spurs’ blushes were spared when the assistant quickly raised his flag for offside.
Despite Diego Simeone’s men defending in a deep block and having very little of the ball, they did create chances in the opening stages. Marcus Llorente broke in behind Djed Spence on the Spurs left multiple times, leading to two goalmouth scrambles that Spurs were lucky to survive. Mathys Tel was Spurs’ bright spark early on.
His best moment came halfway through the first half when he knocked the ball past Robin Le Normand to drive into the Atletico Madrid box before firing hard and low towards the near post. Juan Musso was equal to it though, making a comfortable save. And as the clock struck 30 minutes, Tottenham opened the scoring.