Tottenham's Comeback Against Alkmaar and Rangers' Dramatic Shootout Propel Them to Europa League Quarter-Finals
Tottenham's Triumph Over AZ Alkmaar
In an electrifying Europa League showdown, Tottenham Hotspur managed to turn the tables on AZ Alkmaar after trailing by a goal from the first leg. The London club snagged a thrilling 3-1 victory, winning 3-2 on aggregate. It all began when Wilson Odobert found the back of the net in the 26th minute after intercepting and capitalizing on a ball managed by Son Heung-min and Dominic Solanke. This goal put the Spurs on equal footing with the Dutch side.
The momentum didn't stop there. James Maddison linked up brilliantly in a one-two exchange with Son, eventually chipping the ball into the top corner of the net. Though Peer Koopmeiners briefly demolished Tottenham's lead with a goal, Odobert wasn't done yet. Scoring his second goal of the night, he not only clinched the match but also etched his name in the history books as the youngest Spurs player to notch two goals in a European competition since 1973.
Along with the win, young Archie Gray added another feather to the family's cap, setting a record for European appearances. Tottenham now gears up to face Eintracht Frankfurt, who just steamrolled Ajax with a commanding 6-2 aggregate win.
Rangers' Narrow Escape to the Next Round
Meanwhile, Scottish giants Rangers also secured a place in the quarter-finals. They reached this stage in nail-biting fashion against Fenerbahçe. Although they lost 2-0 in the second leg and found themselves tied 3-3 on aggregate, their persistence paid off in a tense penalty shootout, which they won 3-2.
Their passionate supporters can now look forward to a clash with Athletic Club in the next round. Athletic had edged out Roma earlier, clinching a thrilling 4-3 aggregate victory.
Elsewhere, Manchester United asserted their dominance over Real Sociedad with a straightforward 5-2 aggregate triumph. Key to their success was Bruno Fernandes, who dazzled with a spectacular hat-trick, propelling the Red Devils forward in the tournament.
Looking ahead, the Europa League quarter-finals promise more excitement, featuring Tottenham vs. Frankfurt, Bodø/Glimt vs. Lazio, Rangers vs. Athletic Club, and Lyon vs. Manchester United. Each game holds the potential for more unforgettable performances as teams vie for a place in the semi-finals.