Dele Alli overtaken! 7/10 youngster sets new Tottenham Champions League record despite heartbreaking exit

Originally posted on To The Lane And Back
By Gerrard Crispin | Last updated Mar 18, 2026 9:47 PM ET

Tottenham earned a late win against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.

Tottenham’s 3-2 victory over Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night wasn’t enough to overturn the 5-2 first-leg deficit, but Archie Gray made history in the process. The 20-year-old midfielder made his seventh Champions League start for Tottenham this season, overtaking Dele Alli’s record for the most UCL starts by a Spurs player aged under 21.

Gray was previously level with Alli on six Champions League starts before turning 21, but Wednesday’s appearance against Atletico saw him break that record. The former Leeds United youngster has been a shining light in a nightmarish campaign for Tottenham, and he’s one of the few players still held in incredibly high regard by supporters.

The versatile midfielder played the full 90 minutes in the first leg at the Wanda Metropolitano last week and retained his place in Igor Tudor’s starting XI for the return fixture at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, earning a 7/10 rating. Gray was instrumental in creating Xavi Simons’ second goal, with his great work setting up the Dutchman to curl home a brilliant effort into the bottom-right corner.

Gray’s consistency in Europe this season has been remarkable. He featured in most of Tottenham’s Champions League league phase matches, helping Spurs finish fourth in the standings and progress to the Round of 16. His performances have been mature beyond his years, showing composure on the ball and tactical intelligence in both midfield and defensive roles.

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The record comes during a turbulent period for Tottenham, who sit 16th in the Premier League and are battling relegation with just 8 games remaining. While the club’s top-flight status hangs in the balance, Gray has emerged as a genuine bright spot. His Champions League record now stands at seven starts before turning 21, surpassing Dele Alli’s six.

Archie Gray’s parallels with Dele Alli

Alli made his Champions League debut for Tottenham as a 20-year-old in September 2016 against Monaco and went on to become a key player in Mauricio Pochettino’s side that reached the Champions League final in 2019. Gray is following in similar footsteps, establishing himself as a first-team regular despite Tottenham’s struggles.

The England youth international joined Tottenham from Leeds United last summer for £30m. His ability to operate in multiple positions has made him invaluable to Tudor, who has deployed him at right-back, central midfield, and defensive midfield throughout the campaign.

While Tottenham’s Champions League adventure ended in heartbreak on Wednesday night, Gray’s record-breaking achievement offers a sliver of hope for the future. The 20-year-old has shown he belongs at the highest level, and his performances in Europe suggest he could be a cornerstone of Tottenham’s rebuild, regardless of which division they’re playing in next season.

This article first appeared on To The Lane And Back and was syndicated with permission.

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