Tottenham Hotspur replaced goalkeeper Antonin Kinski in the 17th minute of their Champions League round of 16 match against Atletico Madrid after conceding three goals in the first 15 minutes.
The 22-year-old Czech goalkeeper endured a nightmare start and interim manager Igor Tudor quickly replaced him with Guglielmo Vicario.
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Italian Vicario has started most of Tottenham’s games this season but missed Tuesday’s first leg in Madrid after being criticized for a poor performance.
However, Vicario also conceded five minutes after coming on and Atletico led 4-0 in the 22nd minute before Pedro Polo reduced the deficit at half-time.
Tottenham Hotspur signed Kinski from Slavia Prague in January 2025 in a deal worth approximately £12.5 million.
His first error – a turnover – led to Marcos Llorente making it 1-0 in the sixth minute, and Antoine Griezmann committed a second error eight minutes later.
Kinski, who last started in October for the second of two Carabao Cup games this season, was also responsible for Atletico’s third goal, passing the ball straight to Julian Alvarez for a comfortable finish in the 15th minute.
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The goalkeeper, with his head in his hands at the end of that horror show, was taken off the field and straight into the tunnel less than two minutes later.
BBC Sport chief football writer Phil McNulty, who was at the game, said: “I watch a lot of football but I’m not sure I’ve ever witnessed anything like this.
“It wasn’t just the mistakes, it was Igor Tudor’s decision to fire Anthony Kinski.
“What a terrible night for the young goalkeeper. The Atletico fans actually gave him a sympathetic ovation but didn’t know how to comfort him afterwards.”
BBC Sport’s Spanish football correspondent Elizabeth Conway, who was also at the game, added: “Kevin Danso, Cristian Romero and Pedro Polo walked directly towards Antoni Kinski as he left the pitch to show support.
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“It was a catastrophic 17 minutes for the 22-year-old Czech.”
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“My heart is completely broken for him.”
Former Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson told BBC Radio 5 Live that Tudor’s decision to replace Kinski so early was a “confidence destroyer” for the goalkeeper.
“I’ve never seen anything like this in football. What a big call from the manager,” he added.
“Yes, the goalie was at fault, but it was a confidence blow for Anthony Kinski.”
Robinson added: “I wonder where Anthony Kinski is now. Is he sitting there waiting for his teammates to come into the locker room? What will his next conversation with the head coach be?
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“The problem is Tottenham’s attitude because it’s too bad. Igor Tudor is making decisions to try and protect himself.
“It was a bad first half and Igor Tudor looked like a lost man.”
Former Manchester City and England goalkeeper Joe Hart told TNT Sports that he was “heartbroken” for Kinski, who played in the Champions League for Slavia Prague last season.
“I’ve been trying to understand it,” he added.
“My heart is completely broken for him. [Kinsky]. He had a terrible 14 minutes with that mistake and the third goal. I don’t know what to say. My heart just breaks for this lad.
“This Tottenham team is fantastic.”
