There was a brief ten-minute period of anxiety in the second half, but overall, Tottenham Hotspur’s performance in their Europa League Round of 16 second-leg clash against AZ Alkmaar could hardly have gone better.
Heading into the match at a one-goal disadvantage from the first leg, Ange Postecoglou’s side knew they needed to deliver a statement performance to keep their European hopes alive. Anything less than overturning the deficit would have marked the end of their season on the continental stage.
However, Spurs responded emphatically, producing a dominant display that, on another night, could have seen them win by an even greater margin. Their intensity from the opening whistle set the tone, and some outstanding individual performances across the pitch played a crucial role in securing the result. Among the standout names were Wilson Odobert and a teenage midfielder who could be on the verge of stardom.

Wilson Odobert Seizes His Moment

One of the key tactical adjustments on the night saw Wilson Odobert shift to the right flank, taking the place of Brennan Johnson in the starting lineup. To say the young French winger made the most of his opportunity would be an understatement.
Odobert was a livewire throughout the match, consistently troubling AZ Alkmaar’s backline with his movement and direct attacking play. His first goal came in the first half when he timed his run to perfection, meeting a precise pass from Dominic Solanke and slotting home with composure. He repeated the feat in the second half, once again finding himself in the right place at the right time to restore Tottenham’s aggregate lead.
Yet, his impact extended far beyond just his two goals. The former Burnley prospect was a relentless presence in the final third, pressing high, dribbling past defenders, and creating space for his teammates. He never allowed AZ’s defense a moment of respite.
His stellar performance did not go unnoticed, with football.london’s Alasdair Gold awarding him a 9/10 rating and lauding his match-defining contributions. The statistics further reinforced his dominance: in 78 minutes of play, he recorded an expected goals (xG) tally of 1.03, netted twice, attempted two shots on target, completed three out of four dribbles, registered 50 touches, and even contributed defensively with an interception and two tackles.
Such a performance makes a compelling case for Odobert to retain his place in the starting XI moving forward. Postecoglou may have originally rotated his squad for this fixture, but the young winger’s showing has surely made him undroppable for the upcoming games.

Lucas Bergvall: A Star in the Making

While Odobert dazzled in attack, another teenager delivered a performance that may have cemented his place in Tottenham’s midfield for the foreseeable future.
Lucas Bergvall, the 19-year-old Swedish prodigy, was handed a starting role at the base of midfield and produced what could arguably be his finest display in a Spurs shirt since arriving from Djurgården in the summer. Even though he was partially involved in the build-up to AZ’s goal, his overall contribution to the game was nothing short of exceptional.
Bergvall’s influence was felt all over the pitch. Defensively, he was instrumental in breaking up opposition attacks, while in possession, he showcased an impressive ability to dictate the tempo, link play, and execute incisive passes. His reading of the game and technical quality on the ball made him a crucial component of Tottenham’s midfield engine.
Alasdair Gold rated his performance an 8/10, describing it as “superb,” while journalist Mitch Fretton took the praise a step further, labeling his display as “generational.” Such high praise is well-supported by his remarkable statistics: in 84 minutes, Bergvall took 66 touches, completed 92% of his passes, played one key pass, successfully completed all of his dribble attempts, won 100% of his duels, and contributed defensively with five interceptions and two tackles.
It was a complete performance from the young midfielder, who looks increasingly like a player capable of becoming a mainstay in Tottenham’s midfield. Just as with Odobert, his display against AZ Alkmaar will likely make him undroppable in the eyes of Postecoglou.

A Sign of Things to Come?

While Odobert and Bergvall stole the headlines, it was an overall team performance that will give Tottenham fans reason to be excited. The hunger and intensity displayed by Postecoglou’s side suggest they have the potential to go deep into this competition.
For the Australian manager, the challenge now lies in maintaining this level of performance as the season progresses. With young talents like Odobert and Bergvall emerging as key contributors, the future looks bright for Spurs—not just in the Europa League, but in their broader ambitions under Postecoglou’s leadership.
Their next fixture will be crucial in continuing this momentum. If these two rising stars can replicate their recent heroics, Tottenham may have uncovered the foundations of a squad capable of delivering sustained success.