Europa League: Dinamo Zagreb Beat Tottenham To Advance

By Ibrahim Taiwo, The Nigerian Voice Sports

Dinamo Zagreb pulled off the season's biggest shock in the Europa League after Mislav Orsic scored a sublime hat-trick to give the Croatian champions a 3-2 aggregate win over Tottenham Hotspur in their last-16 tie on Thursday.

Dinamo won 3-0 on the night after extra time to reach the quarterfinals on coach Damir Krznar's debut after he took over on Monday from Zoran Mamic, who stepped down upon learning he faces a prison sentence for fraud.

The defeat was a second bitter blow for Spurs coach Jose Mourinho in quick succession after Sunday's 2-1 Premier League defeat at Arsenal and he trudged off with a grim look on his face as the home players mobbed each other by the touchline.

Trailing 2-0 from the first leg, a resurgent Dinamo dominated the first half and twice came close through midfielder Lovro Majer before Harry Kane missed a chance for Spurs as home goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic blocked his close-range effort.

The home side pulled one back on aggregate in the 62nd minute when Orsic beat visiting keeper Hugo Lloris with a thunderbolt from 18 metres after he cut inside and left Spurs defender Davinson Sanchez flat-footed.

Orsic levelled the tie in the 83d minute with an unstoppable first-time shot past Lloris from eight metres after a flowing move saw substitute Iyayi Atiemwen square the ball to the 28-year old from the right flank.

Spurs looked completely at sea in extra time too as Marin Leovac spurned a gilt-edged chance in the 96th minute before Orsic put the icing on the cake with an individual goal of the highest quality.

He beat four Tottenham defenders with a jinking run from the halfway line and then unleashed a stinging low drive past Lloris from the edge of the penalty area.

Intense Spurs pressure in the last 10 minutes of the absorbing contest saw them miss a pair of sitters as Livakovic denied Gareth Bale and Kane, with Dinamo hanging on thanks to several last-gasp clearances. (Reuters)