Atletico survive Spurs scare

Atletico Madrid held off Tottenham’s bid for an epic Champions League escape as they reached the quarter-finals regardless of a 3-2 defeat within the last-16 second leg on Wednesday.

Diego Simeone’s facet trailed thrice in north London however they did simply sufficient to undergo 7-5 on mixture.

Randal Kolo Muani put Tottenham forward within the first half earlier than Julian Alvarez levelled instantly after the break.

Xavi Simons netted to provide spirited Tottenham a glimmer of hope, however David Hancko’s equaliser extinguished any probability of an unimaginable comeback.

Simons’ stoppage-time penalty got here too late for Tottenham to finish their mission inconceivable.

Atletico will meet Barcelona within the final eight after their Spanish rivals crushed Newcastle 7-2 on Wednesday.

Third-placed Atletico, who just lately knocked Barca out of the Copa del Rey, are 13 factors behind Hansi Flick’s La Liga leaders.

Simeone’s males must enhance considerably on this erratic show if they’re to achieve the semi-finals.

Languishing in sixteenth place within the Premier League, Tottenham’s European exit leaves them to concentrate on their bid to keep away from the humiliation of relegation.

Igor Tudor’s males are only one level above the relegation zone as they teeter on the point of enjoying within the second tier for the primary time since 1977-78.

Bolstered by their first win since interim boss Tudor changed the sacked Thomas Frank, Tottenham host fourth-bottom Nottingham Forest on Sunday in a vital conflict of their combat for survival.

Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven this week insisted any reviews of gamers not caring concerning the membership’s precarious scenario had been nonsense.

Van de Ven slammed options the gamers have “checked out” and their decided try and rattle Atletico instructed Tudor has saved them motivated within the midst of their turbulent run.

Tottenham had been 4-0 down in 22 minutes within the first leg in Madrid final week, with Tudor hauling off keeper Antonin Kinsky after simply 17 minutes following a pair of errors that led to targets.

Atletico survive

They competed way more gamely this time and Mathys Tel pressured an early save from Atletico keeper Juan Musso, who was deputising for the injured Jan Oblak.

Tel carried the best menace for Tottenham and his near-post drive was parried away by Musso.

Uncertain the way to strategy a tie that regarded over earlier than they even arrived in London, Atletico struggled to search out any rhythm for lengthy durations.

Tottenham’s strain was rewarded within the thirtieth minute when Tel lofted an outstanding cross towards Kolo Muani and the French striker punished sloppy marking to energy his header previous Musso from 10 yards.

Tel ought to have pulled Tottenham even nearer, however his close-range shot was straight at Musso.

Atletico barely threatened till Alvarez’s long-range blast hit the crossbar simply earlier than half-time, however they drew degree two minutes after the interval.

Tottenham appealed in useless for a foul on Simons and Atletico surged ahead, with Ademola Lookman selecting out Alvarez for a nimble shot on the flip that flashed previous Vicario from 12 yards.

To their credit score, Tudor’s workforce did not give up and Simons struck 5 minutes later.

Archie Grey scythed by the Atletico midfield, organising Simons on the sting of the world for a superb strike that arrowed into the far nook.

Tottenham scented a miraculous escape and Musso needed to make a superb save to repel Pedro Porro’s strike earlier than scrambling away one other effort from the defender.

Hancko levelled within the seventy fifth minute, getting in entrance of Grey to go house from Alvarez’s nook.

Fouled by Jose Maria Gimenez, Simons slotted house from the spot within the remaining minutes, however Atletico survived a tense finale.