Tottenham vs AZ Alkmaar Report
Scorers: Richarlison 52’ (P)
Richarlison’s Penalty Seals 1-0 Victory for Tottenham Hotspur Over AZ Alkmaar
A second-half penalty from Richarlison helped Tottenham Hotspur maintain their perfect record in the UEFA Europa League this season, securing a narrow 1-0 victory over AZ Alkmaar.
The result handed AZ their fifth consecutive defeat, equaling the club’s longest losing streak in their 57-year history.
First Half: Spurs Dominate, But AZ Show Resilience
Tottenham Hotspur started the game brightly, looking to capitalise on AZ Alkmaar’s recent poor form.
Timo Werner provided the first real chance for Spurs with a dangerous inswinging cross, but youngster Mikey Moore narrowly missed at the far post. AZ responded well, with Denso Kasius flashing a cross across Tottenham’s six-yard box, but no one could get on the end of it.
The half continued with both teams creating opportunities. Werner’s finish lacked the power to trouble Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro, while Spurs goalkeeper Fraser Forster was called into action, making a crucial save from Alexandre Penetra’s firm header.
Both sides had penalty appeals waved away by referee Manfredas Lukjančukas, and the teams went into halftime goalless – the first time in seven matches that Spurs hadn’t scored in the first half.
Second Half: Richarlison’s Penalty Breaks the Deadlock
Ange Postecoglou made a tactical adjustment after the break, shifting Mikey Moore to the left. The move paid dividends, as Moore’s quick footwork and dangerous crosses put AZ under pressure.
Tottenham finally broke the deadlock in the 58th minute when Lucas Bergvall was fouled by Maxim Dekker inside the box. Richarlison stepped up to take the penalty and coolly chipped it down the middle to give Spurs the lead.
Spurs continued to press, with Moore creating further chances, but the final ball lacked precision. AZ attempted a response through former Tottenham academy graduate Troy Parrott, who set Mayckel Lahdo free, but Forster denied the one-on-one effort to preserve Tottenham’s lead.
Any hopes of an AZ comeback were dashed when David Møller Wolfe received his second red card in as many games, leaving the visitors with 10 men. Tottenham held on for the victory, extending their unbeaten run in the UEL to 12 matches, while AZ’s struggles continued.
Conclusion
Tottenham Hotspur’s 1-0 win over AZ Alkmaar continues their perfect start in the UEL, with Richarlison’s penalty proving decisive.
Mikey Moore’s impressive second-half display and Fraser Forster’s crucial saves helped Spurs secure the victory. For AZ Alkmaar, the defeat extends their losing streak to five matches, and pressure is mounting on manager Maarten Martens, with his tenure possibly hanging in the balance ahead of their weekend fixture.
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