Tottenham Hotspur secured a 1-0 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany on Thursday, advancing to the semifinals with a 2-1 aggregate score. A first-half penalty from Dominic Solanke, awarded after a controversial collision in the box, proved to be the difference as Spurs moved one step closer to a potential final in Bilbao.
Tottenham’s win comes at a crucial time, as the club continues to struggle in the Premier League under manager Ange Postecoglou. With the Australian coach’s job reportedly hanging by a thread due to the team’s disappointing league form, this victory provides a much-needed lifeline. Postecoglou’s promise to win a major trophy in his second season at the club remains alive, as the Europa League represents Spurs’ last realistic chance of silverware this season.
The match in Frankfurt was a must-win for Spurs, with the team having failed to meet expectations in the league this year. The side traveled to Germany without star forward Son Heung-min, who was ruled out due to a foot injury just a day before the game. The absence of the South Korean captain added extra pressure on the team, who were looking to bounce back from a poor Premier League run.
Frankfurt, buoyed by their recent success in European competitions, had hopes of securing a spot in the semifinals. The German side, who won the Europa League in 2022, displayed their usual attacking prowess early in the game. Hugo Ekitike, the club’s key attacking player, had a glorious opportunity to put the hosts in front after 16 minutes when he was sent through on goal. However, Spurs’ defender Micky van de Ven made a vital intervention, preventing Ekitike from taking a shot.
Despite Frankfurt’s early pressure, the home side was dealt a blow when veteran midfielder Mario Götze was forced off the pitch with a hamstring injury. His absence left a void in the center of midfield, and Frankfurt struggled to regain their rhythm. Spurs began to find their feet as the first half progressed, and Mathys Tel, who was making his first return to Germany since joining Tottenham on loan from Bayern Munich, came close to scoring with a well-struck shot. Frankfurt goalkeeper Kaua Santos managed to make a fingertip save to keep the score level.
However, the key moment of the match came just before halftime. A cross from Tottenham’s Cristian Romero found James Maddison in the penalty area. As Maddison was about to make contact with the ball, Santos clattered into the Spurs midfielder, sending him crashing to the ground. The referee initially waved play on, but after a VAR review, a penalty was awarded to Tottenham for the foul.
Solanke, who had not scored for Spurs since January, stepped up to take the crucial penalty. Despite the pressure, the England striker made no mistake, coolly converting the spot kick to give Spurs a 1-0 lead in front of Frankfurt’s passionate supporters. The goal silenced the home crowd, and Solanke’s composed finish provided much-needed relief for a Tottenham team under intense scrutiny.
The penalty also had consequences for Santos, who was shown a yellow card for the reckless challenge. Meanwhile, Maddison, who had been visibly shaken by the collision, was substituted shortly after the incident. Despite the setback, Tottenham held onto their slender advantage as the second half unfolded.
Frankfurt, needing a goal to force extra time, pushed forward in the final stages of the match. However, Spurs defended resolutely, dropping back to absorb pressure and denying Frankfurt any clear chances. The hosts dominated possession but struggled to break down Tottenham’s disciplined defense. Even with several dangerous moments in the closing minutes, Frankfurt could not find an equalizer, and the match ended 1-0 in favor of the visitors.
The win means that Tottenham will progress to the semifinals of the Europa League, where they will face a tougher challenge in their bid to secure a place in the final. For manager Ange Postecoglou, the victory is a vital boost to his chances of staying in charge at Spurs. With the club struggling in the Premier League, the Europa League is now the only remaining hope for the Australian coach to fulfill his promise of winning a trophy in his second season.
The loss marks the end of Eintracht Frankfurt’s European journey for this season, extinguishing their hopes of lifting the Europa League trophy for the second time in three years. Despite the defeat, Frankfurt remains in a strong position domestically, sitting third in the Bundesliga with an eye on achieving their best league finish since the mid-1990s.
Postecoglou’s focus will now shift to the semifinal draw, with Tottenham hoping to carry the momentum from this crucial win into the next stage of the competition. Spurs supporters, who have endured a challenging season in the Premier League, will take solace in their team’s strong performance in Europe. The club’s focus will now be on navigating the remaining Europa League ties and securing a spot in the final in Bilbao, where the chance to claim silverware could be the saving grace for both the team and their under-pressure manager.
