Tottenham are hoping for another famous European night as they host Atletico Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.
Igor Tudor’s side trail 5-2 from the first leg after an embarrassing collapse in Madrid, with Antonin Kinsky at fault as Spurs conceded four goals in 22 minutes to leave this season’s European dream in tatters.
However, the visitors rallied somewhat to fight back to a three-goal deficit, and while they’ve been left with a mountain to climb, it’s not an impossible task against an Atleti side who were uncharacteristically open at times last week.
And with the Lilywhites coming into the match buoyed by the hard-fought draw at Anfield at the weekend, Spurs fans will be calling upon memories of Amsterdam in 2019 as they hope to spur their side on to another famous comeback.
Follow all the latest build-up, team news and updates from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium below:
Tottenham vs Atletico Madrid LIVE
- Tottenham host Atletico in second leg of Champions League last-16 tie | Live on TNT Sports, kick-off 8pm
- 45' SAVE! Vicario keeps Spurs in it with great stop [TOT 1-0 ATM, 3-5 agg.]
- 36' CLOSE! Tel spurns golden chance [TOT 1-0 ATM, 3-5 agg.]
- 30' GOAL! Kolo Muani heads in to give hosts hope [TOT 1-0 ATM, 3-5 agg.]
- 6' DISALLOWED GOAL! Lookman opener ruled out for offside [TOT 0-0 ATM, 3-5 agg.]
- Winners of this tie will face Barcelona in quarter-finals
HALF-TIME! Tottenham 1-0 Atletico Madrid
21:00 , Chris WilsonA good half for the neutral and Tottenham are definitely still in this tie.
Atletico have threatened at times but Spurs have certainly been the better side, and they could well be two up if not for a mistake from Tel.
Nevertheless, they’ll take plenty of heart from their first-half performance, and we could be on the verge of a superb comeback in north London!
HALF-TIME! Tottenham 1-0 Atletico Madrid
20:54 , Chris Wilson
HALF-TIME! Tottenham 1-0 Atletico Madrid
20:49 , Chris WilsonThe referee brings the first half to an end and the hosts head into the break with plenty of hope after a spirited first-half showing!
Tottenham 1-0 Atletico Madrid
20:48 , Chris Wilson45 +2 mins
A corner to defend as the final action for Spurs, as Griezmann’s corner is flicked clear. It comes to nothing.
Tottenham 1-0 Atletico Madrid
20:46 , Chris Wilson45 +1 mins
Into the first of two minutes of added time as Tel plays a tame cross straight to Musso.
Tottenham 1-0 Atletico Madrid
20:46 , Chris Wilson45 mins
SAVE! What a stop this is from Vicario!
Simeone picks the ball up from the corner and lashes a brilliant volley goalwards.
Romero gets a head to it but it only serves to wrongfoot Vicario, who does so well to adjust and tip it past the post!
Tottenham 1-0 Atletico Madrid
20:45 , Chris Wilson44 mins
CLOSE! Not a bad effort from distance as Alvarez sees his shot deflected and it whizzes just past the top of the net!
Tottenham 1-0 Atletico Madrid
20:43 , Chris Wilson42 mins
CHANCE! Another opening for Tel as the ball drops kindly for him outside the area. He has no option but to shoot this time, and he does well to test Musso with a powerful effort that the Atletico ‘keeper manages to parry clear.
Tottenham 1-0 Atletico Madrid
20:41 , Chris Wilson39 mins
The hosts started to dominate after that goal but Atleti are doing their best to disrupt their rhythm.
Spurs have been dictating the tempo of late but another goa before half-time could be key in launching this comeback while they’re on top.
Tottenham 1-0 Atletico Madrid
20:38 , Chris Wilson36 mins
CLOSE! What a chance! Spurs have to score that!
It’s lovely play from the hosts, Gray doing brilliantly in midfield before the ball is passed inside to Simons. He sweeps a lovely first-time pass into the path of Tel, who is clean through on the left.
He has two teammates arriving in the box if he just chooses to square it, but he tries to find the far corner and his effort is straight at Musso!
Tottenham 1-0 Atletico Madrid
20:35 , Chris Wilson34 mins
Openings at both ends since the goal, with Lookman having a tame effort saved.
Kolo Muani commits a foul and Griezmann has the chance to swing it in, but the visitors can’t make anything of it as Vicario eventually punches away Llorente’s cross.
'That was all Spurs'
20:32 , Will Castle at the Tottenham Hotspur StadiumHere’s Will Castle inside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium:
“Inch-perfect cross from Tel and the header to match from Kolo Muani. No real defensive blunders Spurs can thank for that one, that was all them. And the noise has gone up a notch. They couldn’t, could they?”
GOAL! Tottenham 1-0 Atletico Madrid
20:32 , Chris Wilson30 mins
GOAL! Spurs have hope!
The hosts have the opener as Tel clips in a lovely cross and Kolo Muani rises highest to nod in from close range!
A great header, and the hosts are within two now.
Tottenham 0-0 Atletico Madrid
20:29 , Chris Wilson27 mins
Ruggeri is the first player in the book as he concedes a free-kick on the right wing.
Spurs work it around the Atletico half but there are no gaps in the visiting defence at the moment.
Tottenham 0-0 Atletico Madrid
20:25 , Chris Wilson24 mins
CHANCE! A first real opening for Spurs as Tel nips in ahead of Le Normand and bests him for pace around the outside. He looks up but opts to shoot rather than cut it back, and Musso parries away the effort at the near post.
Tottenham 0-0 Atletico Madrid
20:23 , Chris Wilson22 mins
Not a great delivery from Porro, and Spurs have to settle for the long throw opportunity.
Dragusin launches it in and there’s some pinball in the area, before it’s squared to Tel and he hits a tame effort straight at Musso.
Tottenham 0-0 Atletico Madrid
20:21 , Chris Wilson20 mins
Spurs are looking better in possession than the visitors, but it’s the problem of breaching the defence that is the main issue right now.
Atletico are happy to sit back whenever Spurs have the ball and the hosts haven’t managed to click in attack, though they’ll have a chance here as Molina catches Simons.
Free-kick on the wing, around 30 yards out.
Tottenham 0-0 Atletico Madrid
20:17 , Chris Wilson17 mins
There are a couple of Spurs corners as the hosts look to get back in it, but on both occasions Musso does well to come off his line and punch clear.
Tottenham 0-0 Atletico Madrid
20:15 , Chris Wilson14 mins
Almost trouble for Spurs as Llorente gets through down the right. He cuts back to avoid the challenge but there’s nobody in the box to tap in his cross!
Tottenham 0-0 Atletico Madrid
20:12 , Chris Wilson11 mins
A decent ball forward from Gray and Kolo Muani has raced onto the end of it, but he scuffs his attempt at the half-volley. Needs to do better there.
Tottenham 0-0 Atletico Madrid
20:10 , Chris Wilson9 mins
Spurs haven’t started badly here but that disallowed goal is a reminder that they’re extremely vulnerable this evening.
Nevertheless the hosts have started with plenty of intent, Tel the latest to take a pop as his effort from outside of the box is deflected safely into the hands of Musso.
DISALLOWED GOAL! Tottenham 0-0 Atletico Madrid
20:07 , Chris Wilson6 mins
The ball is in the net but it’s been chalked off! Lookman was on the end of Simeone’s cross at the far post but he’s just strayed off.
Tottenham 0-0 Atletico Madrid
20:05 , Chris Wilson4 mins
A dangerous situation for Atleti as a great delivery comes in from the corner, but Musso is fouled as he punches clear.
Tottenham 0-0 Atletico Madrid
20:03 , Chris Wilson2 mins
Some early intent from Spurs, with a long throw cleared before the attack breaks down as the hosts are penalised.
KICK-OFF! Tottenham 0-0 Atletico Madrid
20:01 , Chris WilsonWe’re underway at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium! Surely it can’t be as dramatic as last week...
Tottenham vs Atletico Madrid LIVE
19:56 , Chris WilsonBoth sides are out of the tunnel in north London, so we should be underway soon.
Result: Barcelona 7-2 Newcastle
19:52 , Chris WilsonA humbling defeat for Newcastle as they fall to an 8-3 aggregate loss against Barcelona. The Blaugrana will face the winner of tonight’s game between Surs and Atletico.
Here’s a reminder of the other European games this evening:
Liverpool vs Galatasaray (0-1 agg.)
Bayern Munich vs Atalanta (6-1 agg.)
'Atletico fans making the noise'
19:51 , Will CastleHere’s Will Castle inside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium:
“Atletico fans are packed out in their corner of the ground are drowning out the Tottenham’s hype music. Still a lot of Spurs seats to be filled, 10 minutes out from kick-off.”
Tottenham vs Atletico Madrid LIVE
19:48 , Chris Wilson
Tottenham vs Atletico Madrid prediction
19:45 , Chris WilsonTottenham could well have still been in this tie if not for a series of unfortunate slips early on, and they rallied at the end of the game to just about keep themselves in this one.
However, if there’s one side you don’t want to be chasing a tie against at home, it’s probably Simeone’s Atletico.
Expect plenty of cynical fouls, rolling around the floor and time-wasting from the visitors this evening, but as was the case last week, expect some real quality from some of their midfield and attacking players too.
Prediction: Tottenham 1-2 Atletico Madrid
Match stats
19:40 , Chris WilsonTottenham have won all four of their Champions League home games this season by an aggregate score of 10-0.
Meanwhile, Atletico have scored 29 goals in their 11 Champions League games this season, which is their most in a single campaign in the competition. However, since the start of 2022/23, they’ve kept just five clean sheets in 37 games in the competition, the lowest ratio of any side to play 30+ games (14 per cent).
Is the Premier League at risk of losing fifth Champions League place after damaging last-16 results?
19:35 , Chris WilsonThe Premier League could boast seven clubs in next season’s Champions League if all the right pieces fall into place – but there is now a real danger of having only four spots after a string of poor results.
Last term saw an unprecedented six English clubs qualify for Europe’s premier competition; five by their league position, while Tottenham earned their place in the league phase after winning the Europa League.
Yet that inflated contingent could grow even more this year, with the Premier League appearing as one of the more prominent beneficiaries to the competition’s expansion to 36 teams that came into effect at the beginning of 2024/25.
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Is the Premier League at risk of losing fifth Champions League place after exits?
Tottenham vs Atletico Madrid LIVE
19:30 , Chris Wilson
Diego Simeone reveals admiration for Atletico-linked Tottenham captain Cristian Romero
19:20 , Chris WilsonAtletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has revealed he is a "big fan" of Tottenham captain Cristian Romero ahead of Wednesday's Champions League last-16 second leg in London.
Romero was heavily linked with a transfer to Atletico last summer to join up with fellow Argentinian Simeone, but no move materialised and he subsequently signed a new contract at Spurs until the end of the 2028-29 campaign.
Tottenham's disastrous season along with Romero's own mixed form of two reds cards sandwiched between six goals has meant speculation about his future rumbles on, which led to Simeone being asked about his compatriot in Tuesday's press conference.
Simeone reveals admiration for Atletico-linked Tottenham captain Romero
Match stats
19:12 , Chris WilsonBefore this season’s round of 16, there have been 51 occasions of a team losing the first leg of a Champions League knockout stage tie by 3+ goals. Only four of those have progressed to the next round, most recently Liverpool against Barcelona in the 2018/19 semi-final (0-3 away, 4-0 home).
English clubs face a Champions League wipeout – but one thing can save them
19:05 , Chris WilsonThe Manchester City players have already taken in one message from Pep Guardiola, as they attempt what amounts to one of the greatest challenges in Champions League history. Bernardo Silva articulated some of it when he spoke on Monday before their last-16 second leg against Real Madrid.
“With one goal, the atmosphere of the ground will change,” said the Portuguese midfielder.
There is more to that comment than just an appeal to the crowd. The mythos of the Champions League remontada has now become so pronounced – to the point the Spanish name for grand comebacks has become commonplace – that there is a blueprint.
English clubs face a Champions League wipeout – but one thing can save them
Atletico team news
19:02 , Chris WilsonThe Atleti side has one change from the 5-2 win in last week’s first leg, with Marc Pubill replaced at right-back by Nahuel Molina.
Simeone continues with a 4-4-2, with Marcos Llorente and Johnny Cardoso in midfield and Julian Alvarez leading the line with Antoine Griezmann.
Spurs team news
18:58 , Chris WilsonIgor Tudor has made five changes to the side that drew 1-1 to Liverpool last week. In defence, Kevin Danso and Souza drop out, with Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven returning and Pedro Porro moving to wing-back.
In attack, Xavi Simons comes in in place of Richarlison, while Randal Kolo Muani leads the line ahead of Dominic Solanke, who is absent from the Spurs squad.
'No consistency to Igor Tudor's selection'
18:56 , Will CastleHere’s Will Castle inside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium:
“Even after their first babystep, there is still no consistency with Igor Tudor's selection. He’s been forced into a change up top with Anfield hero Richarlison suspended, so Randal Kolo Muani returns to the front line, as does Xavi Simons. But in defence, he’s regressed to a three-back, because that worked so well in Madrid.
“That back line doesn’t include Kevin Danso, who impressed on Sunday. Guglielmo Vicario sees his European duties restored after the Antonin Kinsky disaster - no surprise there. But it’s still very difficult to pinpoint what Tudor’s preferred lineup is, six games into his interim reign.”
Line-ups
18:55 , Chris WilsonAtletico Madrid XI: Musso; Molina, Le Normand, Hancko, Ruggeri; G. Simeone, Llorente, Cardoso, Lookman; Alvarez, Griezmann.
Subs: Esquivel, de Luis, Gimenez, Lenglet, Pubill, Diaz, Koke, Alex B., Vargas, Nico, Sorloth, Almada.
Los once elegidos. pic.twitter.com/NipV3mF9ld
— Atlético de Madrid (@Atleti) March 18, 2026
Line-ups
18:50 , Chris WilsonTottenham XI: Vicario; Dragusin, Romero, Van de Ven; Porro Sarr, Gray, Spence; Tel, Simons; Kolo Muani.
Subs: Kinsky, Austin, Danso, Udogie, Bergvall, Gallagher, Olusesi, Roswell, Kyerematen.
Tonight's Spurs side ✨ pic.twitter.com/mxOfDIz1nb
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) March 18, 2026
Team news
18:40 , Chris WilsonThe line-ups will be released in the next five minutes, so here’s a reminder of the early team news for both sides...
Conor Gallagher and Dominic Solanke are both major doubts for Tottenham, who are also without the injured Joao Palhinha and suspended Richarlison. Lucas Bergvall and Destiny Udogie may be fit enough for places on the bench.
Jan Oblak’s muscle strain means Juan Musso is likely to start again in goal for Atletico Madrid. Pablo Barrios and Rodri Mendoza are also unavailable.
Match stats
18:32 , Chris WilsonTottenham have won just three of their 16 meetings with Spanish sides in all European competition (D5 L8). The first of those was against Atletico, beating them 5-1 in the 1963 Uefa Cup Winners Cup final.
Having lost just one of their first six Champions League away games against English sides (W2 D3), Atletico have now lost five of their last six visits to England (W1). However, all three of their away wins against Premier League teams in the competition have come in the knockout stages (3-1 v Chelsea in 2013/14, 3-2 v Liverpool in 2019/20 and 1-0 v Man Utd in 2021/22).
Story of the first leg: Atletico Madrid 5-2 Tottenham
18:25 , Chris WilsonIt was a truly remarkable evening in Madrid in last week’s first leg, with Spurs conceding four goals in the opening 22 minutes to effectively end the match as a contest by the midway point of the first half.
It all started with a few slips, Antonin Kinsky and Micky van de Ven going down to gift the hosts their first two goals, before an even more ridiculous slip from Kinsky allowed Julian Alvarez to saunter towards an open goal for the third.
That calamity saw Kinsky subbed after just 17 minutes but it didn’t get any better for the visitors, who were four down after Robin Le Normand headed in just minutes after Guigliemo Vicario had come on.
Surprisingly, it did get a little better for Spurs as the game went on, with Pedro Porro getting one back, and while Dominic Solanke lashed in late on too, a second goal Julian Alvarez meant that Spurs ended the game trailing by three goals ahead of tonight’s second leg.
Micky van de Ven fires back at ‘nonsense’ claim that Tottenham players do not care about potential relegation
18:15 , Chris WilsonMicky van de Ven has launched a robust defence of his commitment to Tottenham Hotspur, vehemently dismissing reports that players are indifferent to the club’s precarious situation as "nonsense".
Spurs are currently embroiled in a Premier League relegation battle and slipped to a club-record sixth consecutive loss when they were beaten 5-2 by Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie last week.
While a spirited 1-1 draw at Liverpool on Sunday offered a glimmer of hope, Van de Ven, who himself faced criticism following a red card against Crystal Palace earlier this month, was quick to refute claims that some players have "checked out" of the survival fight.
Van de Ven fires back at ‘nonsense’ claim that Spurs stars do not care
Igor Tudor offers injury update as Tottenham eye historic Champions League comeback
18:05 , Chris WilsonInterim Tottenham Hotspur manager Igor Tudor will welcome back Cristian Romero, Destiny Udogie and Lucas Bergvall for the second leg of the Champions League last-16 tie against Atletico Madrid this week.
However, Spurs will be without Joao Palhinha for the return leg, while Conor Gallagher may have to settle for a place on the bench after suffering from a virus in the lead up to the draw with Liverpool.
Spurs captain Romero makes a return from the concussion that he suffered in a collision with Palhinha in the 5-2 first-leg loss just under a week ago, though the Portuguese midfielder has not recovered in time for this week’s match.
Igor Tudor offers injury update as Tottenham eye historic Champions League comeback
Tottenham lose their balance, the ball and all remaining dignity in abject defeat to Atletico
17:56 , Richard JollyThe report from a remarkable evening in Madrid in the first leg...
For a team failing on all fronts, Tottenham Hotspur succeeded in one thing. They put the mad into Madrid. In the meltdown in the Metropolitano, Spurs appeared to knock themselves out of the Champions League in 22 strange, shocking minutes. An hour later, Dominic Solanke’s goal provided a glimmer of hope amid the humiliation. There may be a sliver of a chance the craziest part is still to come.
Because, as Tottenham lost six consecutive games for the first time in their history, they could be grateful they leave Spain only beaten 5-2. They seemed to turn up in the wrong boots, with the wrong goalkeeper and the wrong manager.
They gifted Atletico Madrid an assortment of ridiculous goals, the first three each sillier than the last, the fifth with a hole where their defence was supposed to be. A side with a capacity for slip-ups took it literally, losing their balance, the ball, their dignity and, probably, their place in the Champions League. Their latest manager may lose his job.
Tottenham lose all remaining dignity in abject defeat to Atletico as Tudor faces axe
When is Tottenham vs Atletico Madrid?
17:46 , Chris WilsonThe second leg of the Champions League round of 16 tie is due to kick off at 8pm GMT on Wednesday 18 March at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on TNT Sports 3, with coverage on the channel from 7pm GMT. A live stream will be available via discovery+.
Predicted line-ups
17:42 , Chris WilsonTottenham XI: Vicario; Danso, Romero, Van de Ven; Porro, Gray, Sarr, Spence; Kolo Muani, Solanke, Simons.
Atletico Madrid XI: Musso; Pubill, Le Normand, Hancko, Ruggeri; G. Simeone, Llorente, Cardoso, Lookman; Alvarez, Griezmann.
Team news
17:38 , Chris WilsonJan Oblak’s muscle strain means Juan Musso is likely to start again in goal for Atletico Madrid. Pablo Barrios and Rodri Mendoza are also unavailable.
Team news
17:35 , Chris WilsonConor Gallagher and Dominic Solanke are both major doubts for Tottenham, who are also without the injured Joao Palhinha and suspended Richarlison. Lucas Bergvall and Destiny Udogie may be fit enough for places on the bench.
Tottenham vs Atletico Madrid LIVE
17:32 , Chris WilsonTottenham have it all to do after a calamitous first leg performance left them trailing Atletico Madrid 5-2.
Spurs conceded four times in the first 22 minutes of the Champions League round of 16 tie, with Igor Tudor substituting Antonin Kinsky early on having given the young goalkeeper his first appearance in the competition.
While goals from Pedro Porro and Dominic Solanke restored a modicum of respectability, home prospects of progression are slim even after an improved Premier League showing against Liverpool at the weekend.
Atletico will know a quarter-final place is within their grasp provided they can avoid a collapse in London.
Good evening
17:28 , Chris WilsonHello and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of tonight’s Champions League last-16 second leg between Tottenham and Atletico Madrid.
The hosts trail 5-2 after a shambolic first leg in the Spanish capital but they’ll look to mount a famous European comeback as they welcome Diego Simeone’s side, and we’ll have all the latest build-up, teams news and updates right here.
