Atlético Madrid capitalised on a disastrous start from Tottenham to secure a 5-2 win in their Champions League round-of-16 clash, leaving the English team with a huge deficit ahead of the second leg.
Atlético Madrid produced a ruthless display to defeat Tottenham Hotspur 5-2 in their Champions League round-of-16 clash, taking firm control of the tie. The result extended Atlético’s impressive home record in knockout matches under Diego Simeone to 20 unbeaten games.
Big win at home ❤️🤍 pic.twitter.com/B5DM0UdIQg
— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) March 10, 2026
Tottenham’s night quickly unravelled after a disastrous opening. Just six minutes into the match, goalkeeper Antonín Kinský slipped while attempting to play the ball out from the back, gifting possession to Ademola Lookman. The winger squared the ball to Julián Álvarez, who set up Marcos Llorente to score the opener.
Matters worsened for Tottenham just eight minutes later when Micky van de Ven slipped in defence, allowing Antoine Griezmann a clear run on goal. The French forward calmly finished to double Atlético’s advantage.
The nightmare continued immediately after the restart when Kinský miskicked a clearance straight to Álvarez, who tapped the ball into an empty net. The error proved to be the final straw as Tottenham replaced the goalkeeper with Guglielmo Vicario just 17 minutes into the game.
However, Vicario’s introduction did little to halt Atlético’s momentum. A dangerous free-kick from Griezmann caused chaos in the Tottenham box, and after Pape Matar Sarr diverted the ball towards his own goal, Robin Le Normand reacted quickest to score the fourth.
Tottenham managed to show some fight, pulling a goal back when Richarlison set up Pedro Porro, who held off his marker before finishing smartly. Later, Dominic Solanke added a second for Spurs after capitalising on a loose pass from Jan Oblak.
Yet Atlético had already put the tie beyond doubt earlier in the second half. Following a save from Oblak to deny Richarlison, a rapid counterattack ended with Álvarez racing clear to score his second of the night, sealing a commanding victory and giving Atlético a three-goal advantage heading into the return leg in London.
