Tottenham fell apart in the first half against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, with Antonin Kinsky drawing comparisons to former Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius
20:35, 10 Mar 2026Updated 20:42, 10 Mar 2026
Antonin Kinsky was subbed off after 15 minutes as Tottenham played Atletico Madrid.
Antonin Kinsky was subbed off after 15 minutes as Tottenham played Atletico Madrid.(Image: Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Tottenham goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky was substituted after 15 minutes in the Champions League, with immediate comparisons being made to former Liverpool shot-stopper Loris Karius.
Kinsky was brought into the starting XI to replace Guglielmo Vicario but slipped to allow Marcos Llorente to open the scoring. Antoine Griezmann then beat him when Liverpool-linked Micky van de Ven slipped, before the goalkeeper made a calamitous error for Atletico Madrid to go three goals up.
At that point, with Kinsky flailing, Igor Tudor decided enough was enough. He decided to go back to Vicario, bringing the Italian off the bench. Five minutes later, Robin Le Normand made it 4-0.
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Karius, of course, suffered a dreadful night in the Champions League final in 2018, a game from which he never really recovered.
And on TNT Sports' coverage of the game in the UK, the commentary team made the immediate comparison between Karius and Kinsky, who will surely struggle to come back from such humiliation at Tottenham.
He looked distraught going down the tunnel once he had been substituted. This was his Champions League debut with the 22-year-old Czech star quickly crumbling on the big stage.
Igor Tudor manager / head coach of Tottenham Hotspur reacts during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace
Tottenham could change their manager again with Igor Tudor facing a potential exit(Image: Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
"I've been trying to make sense of it," Joe Hart said. "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."
Some Atletico fans actually gave Kinsky some applause in sympathy as he exited the field.
"I have never seen that on a football pitch. What a huge call from the manager Igor Tudor," Paul Robinson added.
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"Yes, the goalkeeper was at fault but that is confidence destroying for Antonín Kinsky. They have got to show some fight.
"Tottenham have got to go for this. Professional and personal pride is at stake here. You can blame anyone else, but you cross that white line as a player and it is up to you to stand up."
Pedro Porro did pull a goal back on 26 minutes but Tottenham is surely out of the tie. It plays Liverpool next and is in genuine danger of being relegated from the Premier League.