Tudor Secures First Spurs Victory, But Champions League Run Ends Against Atlético Madrid

Tottenham Hotspur earned a 3-2 victory over Atlético Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie on Wednesday, March 19, 2026, but were eliminated from the competition with a 7-5 aggregate scoreline. The win marked Igor Tudor’s first triumph as Tottenham manager, offering a glimmer of hope amidst a challenging season.

Match Recap

Spurs, needing to overcome a 5-2 first-leg deficit, started brightly and took the lead through Randal Kolo Muani, who headed home a cross from Mathys Tel in the 30th minute. This was Kolo Muani’s fourth goal in this season’s Champions League competition. However, Atlético quickly responded after the break, with Julián Álvarez scoring a well-placed shot just two minutes into the second half.

Tottenham fought back, with Xavi Simons leveling the score with a curling effort in the 55th minute. Despite continued pressure, including efforts from Pedro Porro, Atlético regained the lead through David Hancko in the 75th minute. Simons then converted a late penalty, awarded after a foul on him by Jose Maria Gimenez, to secure a 3-2 victory for Spurs on the night, but it wasn’t enough to prevent Atlético’s progression to the quarter-finals where they will face Barcelona.

Tudor’s Assessment

Igor Tudor expressed mixed emotions after the match. He acknowledged the disappointment of being eliminated but praised his team’s performance and the strong support from the fans. “Proud of the performance, and sad, because we didn’t pass, but good for morale, good for everyone,” Tudor stated. He also highlighted the team’s improved performance in recent games, noting the 1-1 draw against Liverpool as a positive step.

Tudor also addressed the team’s injury situation, revealing they had only 12 available players – 11 starters and one substitute, Kevin Danso – due to injuries to Lucas Bergvall, Destiny Udogie, and Conor Gallagher. He emphasized that this made the performance even more commendable.

Looking Ahead

Despite the Champions League exit, Tudor believes the performance will provide a boost in morale as Tottenham focuses on their Premier League campaign, with the primary goal of avoiding relegation. Tudor anticipates a crucial match against Nottingham Forest on Sunday, acknowledging it won’t be decisive but will be important in the broader context of their remaining games.

Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario echoed Tudor’s sentiments, expressing pride in the team’s effort and improved physical condition, and the unwavering support of the fans.