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.
But Spurs face an almighty task to turn it around in the second leg on 18 March after losing 5-2.
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.
“It was a disastrous 17 minutes for the 22-year-old Czech.”
Media caption,
‘Incredible situation’ – Tudor reacts to controversial Kinsky substitution
Keeper Kinsky substituted after only 17 minutes as Spurs collapse at Atletico
Reaction as Tottenham lose 5-2 at Atletico Madrid
‘It is selfish from the manager’
Image source,Reuters
Image caption,
Kinsky faced three shots and made no saves during his short time on the pitch
Former Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson, at the game for BBC Radio 5 Live, said Tudor’s decision to replace Kinsky so early was “soul-destroying” for the keeper – and labelled Tudor’s actions “selfish”.
“I have never seen that on a football pitch. The manager certainly has not helped his case,” added Robinson.
“It will be soul-destroying for Kinsky. I would not be surprised if he was in tears. It is a difficult thing to handle.
“It is selfish from the manager – he knows he will not be here for long. It is clearly for self-preservation and with no consideration for the young goalkeeper.”
Speaking to TNT Sports, former Spurs 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.
“This Tottenham team is all over the place.”
Former Spain and Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea, who is currently at Italian club Fiorentina, posted a message of support for Kinsky on social media.
“No-one who hasn’t been a goalkeeper can understand how difficult it is to play in this position,” De Gea wrote on X.
“Keep your head up and you will go again.”
Image source,Reuters
Image caption,
This was Kinsky’s third senior start of the season
Image source,Getty Images
Image caption,
Kinsky headed straight down the tunnel after being substituted
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