AZ Alkmaar secured an important advantage in the first leg of their Europa League tie with Tottenham Hotspur after a 1-0 win over the Premier League side at the AFAS Stadion.
The only goal of the game came when Troy Parrott's cross deflected in off the unfortunate Lucas Bergvall and past Guglielmo Vicario into the Tottenham net.
Spurs had their Italian goalkeeper to thank for keeping the score at 1-0 before the interval, as Parrott looked certain to score when he was clean through on goal against his former club, but Vicario made a fine save to prevent him from doing so.
The visitors offered very little going forward in the first half, but Bergvall almost made up for his own goal when a shot from distance curved just wide in opening stages of the second half.
AZ continued to push for further goals, but they had to settle for just the one in the end, leaving everything to play for next week in the return leg in London.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Imago
This was a very disappointing night for the visitors, as they failed to register a shot on target in the first half, and in truth, AZ could have been further ahead by the break.
The hosts were positive throughout the game, and they looked more up for it than Spurs did, but they will probably regret not taking some of their chances after taking a relatively early lead.
In the end, the visitors will probably be grateful that it was only 1-0 to the hosts, leaving Tottenham with every chance of overturning the deficit next week in London.
AZ ALKMAAR VS. TOTTENHAM HIGHLIGHTS
Lucas Bergvall own goal vs. Tottenham Hotspur (18th min, AZ Alkmaar 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur)
Lucas Bergvall won't want to see that again 🫣
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 6, 2025
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
A moment to forget for the Swedish youngster, as Tottenham have fallen behind in the Netherlands to an own goal!
Peer Koopmeiners swings in a corner, and former Spurs man Parrott plays the ball back into a dangerous area, with Bergvall sticking out a leg trying to prevent any further danger - but the ball loops into the net, despite Djed Spence's efforts to prevent it from going in.
MAN OF THE MATCH - TROY PARROTT
© Imago
This result will have meant a lot to him, given he started his career at Tottenham - he played his part in the goal, and was a menace throughout the game.
Parrott will likely regret not taking the chance in the first half when he had only Vicario to beat, but the Republic of Ireland international was still the best player on the pitch tonight.
AZ ALKMAAR VS. TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR MATCH STATS
Possession: AZ 39%-61% Tottenham
Shots: AZ 12-7 Tottenham
Shots on target: AZ 5-1 Tottenham
Corners: AZ 7-2 Tottenham
Fouls: AZ 14-12 Tottenham
BEST STATS
🔴 AZ have won eight of their last nine two-legged European ties 💪@AZAlkmaar | #UEL pic.twitter.com/oT03GdrHOP
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) March 3, 2025
Troy Parrott this season ⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) March 5, 2025
Next up: Tottenham 🔜@AZAlkmaar | #UEL pic.twitter.com/3ysYKg7FT8
"A terrible goal to concede" 🗣️
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) March 6, 2025
Lucas Bergvall scores an own goal to give AZ Alkmaar the lead against Tottenham Hotspur ⚽ pic.twitter.com/eIUI7IlwBp
Tottenham had ZERO shots on target in the first half 0️⃣
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 6, 2025
Big second half required from Ange's men 👊 pic.twitter.com/gcvxyJhVAS
After coming on as a 2nd half substitute, Dominic Solanke limps off after a clash with the AZ goalkeeper 🤕
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 6, 2025
ANOTHER injury problem for Ange Postecoglou...🥴 pic.twitter.com/wlp99HJnRt
WHAT NEXT?
Tottenham are back in Premier League action at the weekend, as they take on Bournemouth at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday.
AZ will be able to rest their legs following this game, as they do not have a match in the Eredivisie this weekend, so they are able to fully focus on the return leg of this tie in London next Thursday.
Tom Humphrey
