Tottenham 3-1 AZ Alkmaar (agg 3-2): Wilson Odobert double sends Spurs through

Wilson Odobert's brace proved decisive as Tottenham Hotspur overcame AZ Alkmaar, reversing their first-leg deficit to successfully advance to the Europa League quarter-finals. This victory is of utmost importance for Tottenham, given their 13th-place standing in the Premier League this season and their elimination from domestic cup competitions, making the Europa League their only remaining hope for silverware this season.

Tottenham had performed poorly in the first leg, suffering a 0-1 defeat. However, their performance improved significantly in Thursday's home game. Odobert opened the scoring, netting his first goal for the club. Dominic Solanke found him in space, and Odobert promptly unleashed a shot that found the top corner of the net. Shortly after the start of the second half, James Maddison and Son Heung-min executed a brilliant one-two in the penalty area, followed by Maddison curling the ball into the net, giving Tottenham the lead on aggregate.

However, Tottenham subsequently made a mistake, a mix-up between Odobert and Lucas Bergvall allowed Peer Koopmeiners to seize the opportunity and score, leveling the aggregate score. But Odobert quickly made amends for his error, receiving a brilliant team play initiated by his teammates from the back, and easily tapped the ball into the net from close range, helping Tottenham regain the lead and ultimately win the match. Late in the game, AZ Alkmaar's Troy Parrott had an excellent chance to equalize, but his shot was saved by Guglielmo Vicario, and then Mees de Wit's follow-up shot was cleared off the line by Yves Bissouma.

Ultimately, Tottenham Hotspur successfully advanced to the quarter-finals, where they will face Eintracht Frankfurt, who eliminated Ajax with a 6-2 aggregate score. This victory not only delighted everyone at Tottenham but also provided a temporary respite for head coach Ange Postecoglou. Tottenham's matches against Eintracht Frankfurt will take place on April 10th and 17th. Furthermore, the fact that Tottenham's preferred central defensive pairing of Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven started together for the first time since last December is also a positive sign for the team.