Tottenham Hotspur have sealed their spot in the Europa League semi-finals after grinding out a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt at Deutsche Bank Park, advancing 2-1 on aggregate. It was a night that demanded composure and steel, and Spurs delivered when it mattered most. The breakthrough came in the first half after James Maddison was brought down in the box by Santos, a challenge that required a VAR review before the penalty was awarded. Dominic Solanke stepped up and confidently converted, sending the keeper the wrong way with a cool strike down the middle.
Spurs carried a 1-0 lead into the break and dominated the opening 45 minutes, with a 1.3 to 0.18 xG advantage and six attempts on goal compared to Frankfurt’s four. Postecoglou’s side looked organized and assured, handling the early pressure from the hosts before asserting themselves in midfield.
The second half was a different story. Frankfurt came out aggressive, driven on by their home crowd and desperate to find an equalizer. Hugo Ekitike’s clever movement and Bahoya’s pace kept Tottenham’s defense alert. Vicario was called into action more than once, producing a brilliant save to deny Chaibi after Kristensen’s pinpoint cross. The pressure mounted late on, with Kristensen having another chance from a rebound, but his shot was tame and straight at the keeper.
Tottenham had opportunities to double their lead too. Romero’s header from a Porro corner skimmed just wide of the post, and Mathys Tel also tested Santos with a curling strike earlier in the half. However, the visitors were more focused on keeping their shape and soaking up pressure, with Van de Ven putting in a standout performance at the back, including a game-saving tackle on Ekitike in the first half.
Despite Frankfurt’s 14 shots to Spurs’ 12 and a late flurry of attacks, they could not find the back of the net. Statistically, Spurs edged it with a 1.71 to 1.06 xG margin, and they made their one big moment count. The result marks arguably the most significant win of Ange Postecoglou’s tenure so far, offering a much-needed morale boost after an underwhelming league campaign. The traveling supporters celebrated wildly at full-time, knowing their side is now just one step away from a European final.
Spurs will now shift their focus to domestic duties, facing Nottingham Forest next, while Frankfurt must regroup quickly ahead of their Bundesliga clash with Augsburg.
