FAREWELL & VICTORY: SON HEUNG-MIN WATCHES AS TOTTENHAM CLINCHES CRUCIAL UCL HOME WIN
Tottenham Hotspur secured a comfortable 3-0 home win against Slavia, featuring penalties from Kudus and Simons, on an emotional night marking Son's return.
With Son watching from the stands, Tottenham Hotspur secured a solid win against Thomas Frank's team in north London. The victory came thanks to David Zima's first-half own goal and penalties from Mohammed Kudus and Xavi Simons after halftime.
Fresh off Saturday's much-needed home win against Brentford, Tottenham made it two wins in a row at home, easing some pressure on Frank after a difficult period.
Tottenham has moved up to ninth place in the league before their last games against Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt in January. The top eight teams will automatically advance to the last 16, while teams from ninth to 24th will enter the playoffs.
I'm very happy with the win. "We're in a good position to move forward," Frank said.
I liked a lot about our play, but I also think we can do better in the future and have more control. We’ve had four games in only a few days.
The night was emotional at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as Son returned to say goodbye officially after his summer move to Los Angeles FC.
Son scored 173 goals in 454 games for Tottenham and captained the club to the Europa League victory against Manchester United last season, ending their 17-year wait for a trophy.
Just hours after his mural was revealed on the Tottenham High Road earlier that day, the 33-year-old spoke to the fans who loved him before the game. He also received a gift during an emotional ceremony on the field.
It was good to see him. I'm happy he got the reception he deserved. "He's a true Tottenham legend coming home," Frank said.
Spurs started fast.
Tottenham supporters were still singing Son’s name when their team almost scored after just 36 seconds.
Wilson Odobert outran David Doudera and found Richarlison, but his first-time shot was deflected over by Slavia's goalkeeper, Jindrich Stanek.
Slavia had failed to score in four of their last five games, but Lukas Provod came close with a strong half-volley.
Tottenham was hurt when centre-back Micky van de Ven was booked for arguing, which means he'll miss next month's important match with Dortmund.
But Frank's team took the lead after 26 minutes when Pedro Porro's corner was flicked on by Cristian Romero, and Zima accidentally headed it into his own net, marking Tottenham's 100th goal in the Champions League.
Tottenham increased their lead in the 48th minute when Porro was fouled by Youssoupha Sanyang's careless tackle.
Richarlison, who missed a penalty against Copenhagen earlier this season, seemed ready to take it until Tottenham captain Romero stepped in, and Kudus scored his third goal for the club.
Frank brought on Mathys Tel after the club decided to add the forward to their Champions League team this week, replacing the injured Dominic Solanke.
Tel’s first action was to test Stanek, who then made an even better save on the follow-up from Pape Sarr.
Simons has the ability to fill the spot left by Son, and the Dutch forward sealed the win in the 79th minute when he scored from the penalty spot after being fouled by Igoh Ogbu.
TOTTENHAM CONFIRM MANAGER POSITION FOR CHAMPIONS LEAGUE MATCH AGAINST ATLETICO MADRID
Tottenham confirm Igor Tudor will remain in charge for the Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid this Tuesday.
Tottenham has put an end to the speculation about Igor Tudor’s future by confirming he will stay on as head coach for their upcoming Champions League match against Atletico Madrid. Sky Sports reports Tudor will lead the pre-match press conference on Tuesday ahead of this crucial fixture.
Pressure on Tudor had been mounting following a rocky start at Tottenham. There were murmurs he might be sacked after a series of disappointing results, but the late 1-1 draw against Liverpool seems to have provided a reprieve. Before that, the assumption was that one more loss, especially away at Anfield, could cost him his job. Confirming Tudor’s role for the Atletico clash signals the club is sticking with him for now, at least through the next big challenge.
That challenge is significant. Spurs are trailing 5-2 on aggregate after the first leg against Atletico, a match that drew sharp criticism for Tottenham’s performance. The game was difficult to watch, not only because of the scoreline but also because of a striking moment when goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky was taken off just 17 minutes in, a rare and unsettling decision that highlighted deeper issues.
For Tudor, Tuesday’s match is both a test and an opportunity to demonstrate leadership. The confirmation of his position brings mixed feelings among fans. There’s a recognition that stability is important during such a hectic part of the season, yet lingering doubts remain after some shaky displays.
Fans watched the first leg against Atletico with a sense of disbelief. Conceding five goals and that early goalkeeper substitution raised legitimate questions about the team’s preparation and tactical choices. That substitution felt emblematic of a chaotic night, reflecting larger problems.
The gritty draw with Liverpool, though, offered a glimpse of fighting spirit and earned some credit for resilience, even if the overall form is inconsistent. Moments like that can offer managers breathing room in tough times.
Still, supporters crave clarity and a long-term vision. Tottenham has shifted its direction multiple times in recent years, and the fans want a coherent plan moving forward. Tudor now has a clear chance to reinforce his authority and bring some order against a tough Atletico side.
Even if overcoming the deficit proves elusive, Spurs supporters will be looking for signs of organisation, determination, and a stronger team identity. That might be the most valuable takeaway from the clash.
UCL DRAW 2026 LAST 16: PREMIER LEAGUE GIANTS FACE BRUTAL DRAW IN QUEST FOR EUROPEAN GLORY 2026
The Champions League draw is out! Read the full list of fixtures, including Man City vs Real Madrid and Newcastle’s trip to Barcelona.
Manchester City will go head-to-head with Real Madrid in what’s easily the standout fixture of this season’s Champions League round of 16.
UEFA stuck to the same process as last year’s new format, running the draws for the last 16, quarter-finals, and semi-finals all on the same day in Nyon, Switzerland.
There’s still plenty of English interest left in the competition. Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Newcastle, Tottenham, and Man City all made it through, which pretty much guarantees the Premier League an extra Champions League spot next season thanks to the UEFA coefficient.
With the seeding and pairing rules, each of the 16 teams already knew they’d be facing one of just two possible opponents in the next round.
Liverpool and Tottenham ended up in the same section of the bracket. No surprise, since they finished third and fourth in their groups.
Arsenal, who topped their group, drew Bayern Munich. Manchester City got Sporting Lisbon, and Chelsea lined up against Barcelona.
After Newcastle’s play-off win over Qarabag, they were slotted into their section of the bracket.
Now that the draw’s done, here’s what’s coming up: Chelsea will take on defending champions PSG, and Newcastle will get Barcelona.
Real Madrid against Manchester City is the pick of the bunch, two giants going toe-to-toe.
Liverpool will face Galatasaray, while Tottenham will meet Atletico Madrid.
Arsenal, meanwhile, are set to play either Bayer Leverkusen or Atalanta – a tricky tie either way.
Here’s the full Champions League last 16 draw for 2025/26:
Manchester City vs Real Madrid
Bodø/Glimt vs Sporting
Paris Saint-Germain vs Chelsea
Newcastle vs Barcelona
Galatasaray vs Liverpool
Atletico Madrid vs Tottenham
Atalanta vs Bayern Munich
Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal
And for the Europa League quarter-finals:
Paris Saint-Germain/Chelsea vs Galatasaray/Liverpool
Real Madrid/Manchester City vs Atalanta/Bayern Munich
Newcastle/Barcelona vs Tottenham/Atletico Madrid
Bodø/Glimt/Sporting vs Bayer Leverkusen/Arsenal
The Europa League semi-finals shape up like this:
Paris Saint-Germain/Chelsea/Galatasaray/Liverpool vs Real Madrid/Manchester City/Atalanta/Bayern Munich
Newcastle/Barcelona/Tottenham/Atletico Madrid vs Bodo/Glimt/Sporting/Bayer Leverkusen/Arsenal
As for the dates, here’s what you need to know:
Round of 16: March 10/11 & 17/18, 2026
Quarter-finals: April 7/8 & 14/15, 2026
Semi-finals: April 28/29 & May 5/6, 2026
Final: May 30, 2026, in Budapest
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