Credit: Imago

Dakir Thanveer

Fri 14 March 2025 16:00, UK

James Maddison is basking in glory after helping Tottenham beat AZ Alkmaar to qualify for the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals on Thursday.

Tottenham had their work cut out for them going into the second leg of the last-16 tie at home on 13 March after losing 1-0 against the Dutch outfit in the first leg last week.

Wilson Odobert nullified Alkmaar’s one-goal lead just 26 minutes into the game, while Maddison put Ange Postecoglou’s side in front early in the second half.

Although Peer Koopmeiners brought the tie back to square one, another goal from Odobert saw Spurs win 3-2 on aggregate.

Maddison expressed delight, Jude Bellingham chimes in

Apart from scoring a goal, Maddison was instrumental in Tottenham’s 3-1 win against Alkmaar on Thursday, particularly in the lead-up to Odobert’s second.

The England international thus took to social media to express his delight at helping Spurs progress further in the European competition.

“European nights here in N17”, Maddison wrote on Instagram (13 March) along with an exhaling and a white heart emojis.

Meanwhile, Jude Bellingham joined in on the former Leicester ace’s joy as he posted an exhaling emoji of his own, as well as a bullseye one.

Spurs teammates Lucas Bergvall, Micky van de Ven, Dominic Solanke and Brandon Austin also chimed in in the comments section.

Maddison stars for Tottenham v AZ Alkmaar

Having scored a brace, Odobert understandably grabbed the headlines after Spurs booked their place in the Europa League quarter-finals.

However, Maddison’s involvement cannot be understated as he pulled the strings for the North London giants from midfield.

No player completed more passes than the 28-year-old (58) – something he did with more accuracy than anyone else who played 45 minutes or more (94 per cent), as per FotMob.

Maddison played 10 of those passes into the final third and managed to create two chances, although he does not have an assist to show for it.