Spurs replace keeper Kinsky in 17th minute after horror start

Tottenham replaced goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky in just the 17th minute of their Champions League last-16 tie at Atletico Madrid after conceding three goals inside the opening quarter of an hour.

The Czech Republic stopper, 22, endured a nightmare start and interim boss Igor Tudor quickly replaced him with Guglielmo Vicario.

Italian Vicario has started the majority of Tottenham’s games this season but was dropped for Tuesday’s first-leg tie in Madrid after being criticised for poor performances.

However, Vicario also conceded five minutes after coming on as Atletico stormed into a 4-0 lead by the 22nd minute, before Pedro Porro reduced the deficit by half-time.

Tottenham signed Kinsky from Slavia Prague in a deal worth about £12.5m in January 2025.

His first error – a slip – led to Marcos Llorente making it 1-0 in the sixth minute, before Antoine Griezmann added a second eight minutes later.

Kinsky – who last started in October for the second of two Carabao Cup games this season – was also at fault for Atletico’s third goal, gifting the ball straight to Julian Alvarez to finish easily in the 15th minute.

The keeper had his head in his hands after that horror show and was taken off less than two minutes later, going straight down the tunnel.

BBC Sport’s chief football writer Phil McNulty, who was at the match, said: “I’ve watched a lot of football but not sure I’ve ever witnessed anything quite like this.

“Not just those mistakes, but Igor Tudor’s decision to take Antonin Kinsky off.

“What a horrible night for the young keeper. The Atleti fans actually gave him sympathetic applause but not sure how he can be consoled after that.”

BBC Sport’s Spanish football reporter Elizabeth Conway, also at the match, added: “Kevin Danso, Cristian Romero and Pedro Porro went straight over to Antonin Kinsky as he left the pitch to show their support.

Former Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson, at the game for BBC Radio 5 Live, said Tudor’s decision to replace Kinsky so early was “confidence destroying” for the keeper.

“I have never seen that on a football pitch. What a huge call from the manager,” he added.

“Yes, the goalkeeper was at fault but that is confidence destroying for Antonín Kinsky.”

Robinson added: “I wonder where Antonin Kinsky is now. Is he sat waiting for his team-mates to come into the dressing room? What will his next conversation be with the manager?

“The problem is the attitude with Tottenham because that is terrible. Igor Tudor is making decisions to try and protect himself.

“This has been a terrible first half and Igor Tudor looks like a lost man.”

Speaking to TNT Sports, former Manchester City and England goalkeeper Joe Hart said he was “heartbroken” for Kinsky, who played in the Champions League last season for Slavia Prague.

“I’ve been trying to make sense of it,” he added.

“My heart is absolutely broken for him [Kinsky]. He had a horrible 14 minutes, that slip and the third goal. I don’t know what to say. I am just heartbroken for the lad.