A comical first-half own-goal from Lucas Bergvall consigned a lacklustre Tottenham to a 1-0 loss away to AZ Alkmaar in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie.
Bergvall’s sliced clearance from a Troy Parrott shot looped in after 18 minutes and it proved enough to give AZ a first victory over an English side in 12 attempts.
Spurs had eight days to prepare for this fixture but produced a flat display in the Netherlands and did not register a shot on target until the 88th minute.
Full-time in the first leg. pic.twitter.com/TlQLmfgPJ2
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) March 6, 2025
It was a thoroughly disappointing performance from Ange Postecoglou’s team, especially given this competition remains the club’s last hope of silverware this term and their only chance to salvage a difficult campaign.
Tottenham now have it all to do ahead of Thursday’s second leg in north London.
Postecoglou resisted the temptation to start fit-again trio Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero and Dominic Solanke and the injury curse actually struck the hosts as Mayckel Lahdo was forced off after eight minutes at AFAS Stadion.
It contributed to a disjointed start, but AZ, with the first legitimate chance of the match, took the lead in bizarre fashion in the 18th minute.
Peer Koopmeiners’ corner picked out ex-Spurs forward Parrott, who had a side-footed shot which Bergvall completely miscued and watched in horror as his attempted clearance looped over Djed Spence and into the net.
Lucas Bergvall won''t want to see that again 🫣
AZ take the lead, as Bergvall miscues his clearance, and can only watch as it loops into the far corner of his own goal…
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/qmjPv2RRoT
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 6, 2025
It was an embarrassing own goal and, while Tottenham briefly responded, Parrott was involved again soon after as Archie Gray blocked his effort before Ernest Poku sent the follow-up well wide.
An even better opportunity was created after 31 minutes when AZ broke after a Son Heung-min chance and Parrott was played through, but Guglielmo Vicario raced out to brilliantly deny the Republic of Ireland forward.
A poorly-worked short free-kick by Son summed up Spurs’ half before the visitors survived a goalmouth scramble as James Maddison slid in to deny David Moller Wolfe and Bergvall blocked from Koopmeiners.
It remained 1-0 at half-time, but Postecoglou reacted by bringing on Wilson Odobert for Mathys Tel and Tottenham’s urgency improved, with Bergvall firing wide before Son blazed over.
AZ remained a threat and Poku forced Vicario into another save after a dangerous cross by Moller Wolfe.
Rodrigo Bentancur was booked soon after for a late challenge on the excellent Parrott, which rules the Spurs midfielder out of next week’s second leg.
Chances remained at a premium for Tottenham and Postecoglou made a triple substitution with 18 minutes left, with Pedro Porro, Pape Sarr and Solanke sent on.
It failed to spark a late rally and, although Odobert tested Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro for the first time in the 88th minute, Spurs were dealt a fresh blow late on when Solanke limped off after he was caught by AZ’s goalkeeper.
[(Shimizu S-Pulse) Weakness]: 1. Shimizu S-Pulse are 13th in the J1 League table. Facing 2nd-placed Kashima Antlers, they will find it hard to win this match due to their declining form, indicating doubtful motivation.2. Shimizu S-Pulse defender Yuji Takahashi and forward Sena Saito will miss this league game due to injuries.3. Shimizu S-Pulse were winless with 2 draws and 3 losses in the last 5 g...
Liverpool table fresh Guehi bidAccording to The Athletic, Liverpool have submitted a fresh bid worth £35 million ($47m) to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. The Reds had earlier seen two bids rejected by the Eagles, but they remain hopeful that this time the offer will be accepted.Fenerbahce eyeing move for EdersonTurkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce are eyeing a move for out-of-favour Manc...
Roma medical for Liverpool fullback TsimikasAS Roma are holding a medical for Kostas Tsimikas today.The Liverpool fullback is leaving Anfield after finding himself third-choice this season behind fellow left-backs Andrew Robertson and Milos Kerkez.La Gazzetta dello Sport says the Greece international is expected in Italy today to finalise his move.Tsimikas will undergo a medical ahead of signing a...
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-FULHAMMarco Silva has demanded an explanation from the Premier League after lambasting three "shocking" refereeing decisions in Fulham's 2-0 Premier League loss at Chelsea.WHAT HAPPENED?The Whites thought they had taken the lead against their west London rivals Chelsea when 18-year-old Josh King coolly slotted past Robert Sanchez. However, the goal was chalked off by referee Rob...
[(Shonan Bellmare) Strength]: 1. Shonan Bellmare are one of the bottom teams in the table, taking 25 points and being in the relegation zone. They are strongly motivated to grab points.[(Shonan Bellmare) Neutral]: 1. Shonan Bellmare drew the last 4 home games, revealing mediocre home performances.[(Shonan Bellmare) Weakness]: 1. Shonan Bellmare lost 1-0 to Fagiano Okayama on the road in the last g...
Manchester United Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Europa League Final 2025Chelsea have completed the signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.WHAT HAPPENED?Garnacho has signed a seven-year contract with the Blues after the two Premier League clubs agreed a deal worth a fixed £40 million fee ($54m) with a 10 per cent sell-on clause, Goal understands. The 21-year-old ha...
Marc Guehi Crystal Palace 2025-26Liverpool have launched a fresh bid for Marc Guehi as they hope that Crystal Palace will finally accept their proposal and agree to sell their star defender before the summer transfer window closes on Monday. The Reds have been linked with a move for the England international throughout the summer and the champions are determined to secure his signature.WHAT HAPPEN...
West Ham United v Lille OSC - Pre-Season FriendlyAston Villa are close to signing West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta on an initial loan with an obligation to buy next summer.WHAT HAPPENED?Villa are on the brink of agreeing a £47 million (€54m/$63m) package for Paqueta which includes a loan fee and add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano. The report also states the 28-year-old has ac...
[(Nagoya Grampus) Strength]: 1. Nagoya Grampus currently have only 28 points and are near the bottom of the league table. To avoid relegation, they need to earn points.[(Nagoya Grampus) Neutral]: 1. Nagoya Grampus' 7 successive games ended with OVER.[(Nagoya Grampus) Weakness]: 1. Nagoya Grampus lost 2-4 to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their last Emperor's Cup game, with poor performance.2. In the lates...
Cody Gakpo Liverpool 2025Premier League champions Liverpool have confirmed that star attacker Cody Gakpo has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract, which has extended his stay at Anfield beyond 2028. The Dutchman who joined the club in January 2023, during the Jurgen Klopp era, has established himself as a regular starter under new boss Arne Slot and has now committed his future to the Reds...
