Simons double fires Tottenham Hotspur to first win under Tudor but Atletico Madrid progress to quarter-finals on aggregate

Champions League / Last 16

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium / 18.03.2026

Tottenham Hotspur

Finished

Aggregate score 5-7

Atlético Madrid

R. Kolo Muani(30')
X. Simons(52', 90' PEN)

J. Álvarez(47')
D. Hancko(75')

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Highlights

22:42

SPURS EXIT EUROPE WITH HEADS HELD HIGH

Tottenham Hotspur produced their best performance under Igor Tudor to deservedly beat Atletico Madrid 3-2, but it was not enough to overturn their Champions League last 16 tie.

Randal Kolo Muani and Xavi Simons struck either side of a Julian Alvarez effort to give a boisterous London crowd hope of an improbable comeback from a three-goal deficit after a disastrous first leg in the Spanish capital.

David Hancko’s equaliser with 15 minutes to go all-but ended Spurs’ hopes of a fightback for the ages, but Simons’ stoppage-time penalty did at least ensure they claimed their first victory of Tudor’s interim reign, a deserved reward for an enterprising performance.

Few gave the Premier League side a prayer after a 5-2 first leg defeat overshadowed by Tudor’s controversial decision to substitute goalkeeper Antonin Kimsky after conceding three goals in the opening 15 minutes.

But Spurs put in an impressive performance, testing goalkeeper Juan Musso on multiple occasions and digging deep to find another goal every time they were pegged back by Atleti in an entertaining encounter.

Attention will now turn to their Premier League relegation battle, with a huge clash against Nottingham Forest coming up on Sunday, but the home crowd will likely be buoyed by this display, coming after an encouraging draw with Liverpool as the first green shoots of progress start to emerge.

Atletico Madrid, meanwhile, will face a familiar foe in the quarter-finals when they lock horns with Barcelona.

Highlights: Atleti into last eight despite second-leg defeat to spirited Spurs

Video credit: TNT Sports

22:38

TUDOR: WE NEED TO CONTINUE LIKE THIS

Tottenham Hotspur interim bosss Igor Tudor has been speaking to TNT Sports and here is what he had to say.

"The sensations are mixed because you don’t like to not pass [into the next round] but it was a very good performance after quite a long period," Tudor said.

"Beautiful sensation on the pitch with the fans who were really there with the squad. And the team was good from the first moment, they recognised this will to do what they can do. So good sensation after the game even though we didn’t qualify. And congratulations to the players."

On his feelings: "All sensations are positive in every way. This commitment behind, there was quality in front, a lot of running, a lot of good things. There is a decision of the referee for the foul on Xavi [Simons], who decides the game in the end. But still believing after to score one goal to at least get this victory. So this is the good direction that we take."

On Archie Gray: "Incredible. Incredible guy playing all positions. In this position, he can be the best. Together with Papp, I like them very much. Xavi was good today. We need to continue this."

On the fans: "I believe today they were proud of the team, even if we are out. So we hope this can continue on Sunday, we need them for the game. We need to make this performance continue away."

On the next game against Forest: "We need to refresh and choose the right players but there is a lot of confidence after these two games."

Image credit: Getty Images

22:30

MORE FROM VICARIO

"I think we fought hard, a lot of duels won, ground duels, aerial duels, second balls. A lot of running from the team, I think the team now is in a better physical place because we have more endurance also during the game, so we keep running until the last second.

"Of course then we have the energy of the fans today. They’ve been unbelievable, they’ve been incredible to support us until the last second. So all these kind of things we need to keep with ourselves and show everything in the next games. It’s crucial at this point of the season, to give everything we have. But today is a positive point to start."

22:28

VICARIO: WE HAVE GOOD ENERGY NOW

The Spurs goalkeeper spoke to TNT Sports after the game. Here is what he had to say.

"Tonight, it was a game of moments. I think we were close not to go over the edge, I would say, because we had a lot of situations in the first half where we could’ve gone to the break at 2-0. But I think a lot of positives to take from tonight from every aspect.

"We showed what we need to show every game so of course it’s a good build-up into the next games. It gives us a lot of confidence and we are very proud of what we did tonight.

"Of course, we are disappointed because we couldn’t go through. That’s football. But the important thing is that we have good energy now, good freshness for what we showed tonight. So it’s a good point to start."

22:25

QUARTER-FINALS SET

Who are you backing to reach the final?

22:20

OUCH.

Chelsea, Tottenham, Man City and Newcastle conceded 28 goals between them! Extraordinary.

22:15

HARGREAVES IMPRESSED WITH 'INTENSITY'

TNT Sports pundit Owen Hargreaves said: "I think the fans, they could feel it. I think the boys put in a hell of a shift, they worked incredibly hard, they were good in front of goal, there were some brilliant performances individually and I think they’re headed in the right direction."

"After the point at Anfield and the performance today, I think they can be proud and take this momentum. But the only way that starts is with this effort, this intensity. If they play with this intensity, they’ll be fine."

22:13

SIMONS CLINCHES WIN ON THE NIGHT

22:13

HANCKO PUTS A DAGGER IN SPURS HEARTS

22:11

SIMONS STRIKE FOR 2-1 THE PICK OF THE BUNCH

What a hit son!

'Absolutely spectacular' - Simons curls home a beauty to restore Spurs hope

Video credit: TNT Sports

22:08

ALVAREZ STRIKES BACK

The goal that made it 1-1 right at the start of the second half.

'Smashed that in' - Atleti catch Spurs on the counter as Alvarez extends visitors' aggregate lead

Video credit: TNT Sports

22:03

THE GOALS!

Here is how it all started...

'There's some hope' - Kolo Muani heads Spurs into the lead to reduce Atleti deficit

Video credit: TNT Sports

22:00

FERDINAND: SPURS CAN FEEL PROUD

TNT Sports pundit Les Ferdinand said: "We knew it was going to be a tall order. The one thing we said before was that they should try and win the game tonight."

"I thought Tottenham, from start to finish, they went out on the front foot. They were never going to be able to keep that pace up for 90 minutes, they dropped off a little bit. But they can feel proud.

"I think the fans will go home realising: ‘Ok, we’ve got a relegation battle to deal with now.’ But if they can perform like they did tonight, then they’ll have no trouble getting out of the position they’re in at the moment."

21:55

FULL-TIME: TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 3-2 (AGG. 5-7) ATLETICO MADRID

Spurs bow out of the Champions League, but with their heads held high as they claim their first win under Tudor with undoubtedly their best performance since he came in.

Atleti go on to face Barcelona in the quarter-finals.

95'

STADIUM ROCKING

Spurs won't win the tie, but they are about to win their first match under Tudor if things stay as they are. That would be big progress in itself.

94'

BIG PENALTY SHOUTS

Spurs are convinced they should have another penalty as Gallagher goes down with Koke's arm on his shoulder. Replays show he has made a big deal out of that contact, though. Correct call.

92'

HUGE CHANCE FOR SPURS!

That would have made things interesting! The ball is launched long into the Atleti box and breaks to Kolo Muani, but his finish is blocked when he looked certain to score!

90'

GOAL! TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 3-2 (AGG. 5-7) ATLETICO MADRID (SIMONS)

Superb penalty from Simons, who smashes it into the bottom corner before sprinting off to collect the ball. He still believes!

Penalty kick

X. SimonsTottenham Hotspur

90'

PENALTY TO SPURS!

Can they at least clinch a win on the night? Simons dribbles into the box and Gimenez makes a clumsy challenge to haul him down.

88'

FINAL CHANGE OF THE NIGHT

I promise, no more subs to report. But not much else going on right now as this game fizzles out a bit. A shame, after all the excitement when Simons restored Spurs' lead earlier.

Substitution in

J. GiménezAtlético Madrid

Substitution out

G. SimeoneAtlético Madrid

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