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Spurs implode, exit Europa League in humiliating fashion

Tottenham Hotspur

ZAGREB, CROATIA - MARCH 18: Mislav Orsic of GNK Dinamo Zagreb celebrates with Bartol Franjic after scoring their side’s first goal during the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 Second Leg match between Dinamo Zagreb and Tottenham Hotspur at Stadion Maksimir on March 18, 2021 in Zagreb, Croatia. Sporting stadiums around Europe remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Jurij Kodrun/Getty Images)

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Spurs had a long trip to Croatia, giving them jet lag to go with the hangover from a 2-1 North London derby loss to Arsenal at the weekend.

The good news for Tottenham? No more European trips.

Mislav Orsic scored a hat trick as Dinamo Zagreb came back from a 2-0 first leg deficit In England to send Spurs crashing out of England after extra time of a 3-0 second leg.

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Orsic ripped Serge Aurier a part on the left before smashing two of his goals home in fantastic long-distance fashion, the third coming in the 108th minute.

Zagreb goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic made two fantastic stops deep in the second period of extra time to preserve the massive upset win.

So what went wrong for Spurs? Jose Mourinho gave chances to Dele Alli, Harry Winks, and weekend red-card earner Erik Lamela, but had all three off the pitch by the 70th minute. In Winks’ case, it was more strategic, but there was no star turn from Dele and no rabona from Lamela.

Serge Aurier gave Mislav Orsic room to operate in the 62nd minute and the well-traveled Croatian international hammered the ball with his instep, spinning it beyond the reach of a flying Hugo Lloris and making it 2-1 on aggregate.

The goal had been coming, and Dinamo was close to making it 2-2. Giovani Lo Celso was one of Mourinho’s subs, along with Tanguy Ndombele and Gareth Bale, and he saw a deflected bid to make it 3-1 caught by Livakovic.

Follow @NicholasMendola