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Tottenham Hotspur kicked off their Champions League campaign with a 1-0 win against Villarreal as the Spanish side never recovered from an early own goal by goalkeeper Luiz Junior.
While it was not the prettiest game of football or the most convincing of wins, Spurs will not mind one bit. After two years away from the competition, Thomas Frank’s men marked their return to Europe’s biggest stage with three points and a clean sheet.
This was an almost entirely new Tottenham side compared to the last time they were in this competition, back in 2022-23. There were multiple Champions League debutants across the pitch, including the Dane boss himself, who was managing in the competition for the very first time.
Frank made only two changes from the side that beat West Ham 3-0 three days earlier, with Richarlison and Rodrigo Bentancur coming in.
First half: Tottenham 1-0 Villarreal
The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium rightfully played the Champions League anthem, with a huge cockerel tifo rising in the South Stand. The tone was set early, as Richarlison drew a foul and Spurs began to settle into rhythm. Summer signing Xavi Simons almost capped his home debut with a screamer from distance, only to see it fly just over.
Spurs did not have to wait long for the breakthrough. Lucas Bergvall tore down the right and sent in a low ball that seemed simple enough for Junior to deal with. Instead, the Villarreal keeper spilt it clumsily under his body and watched as it spun into his own net.
Villarreal did carry a threat in flashes, most notably through Pepe who punished a sloppy Van de Ven giveaway by curling inches wide of the far post.
Bentancur then sparked a bright Spurs spell, winning the ball high before seeing his shot deflected away, but the visitors created the best opening of the half when Pepe slipped in Buchanan, only for the winger to steer his effort past the goal.
Pape Matar Sarr’s low strike from the edge of the box forced Junior into a decent stop before two penalty appeals added drama. First, Richarlison went down under contact, but the referee and VAR saw nothing in it. Then a clearer case arrived when Gueye’s arm blocked a Bergvall flick, but again the officials waved play on.
The half grew scrappy with several soft bookings, and Spurs went in ahead thanks to that early gift. The numbers backed it up too, leading Villarreal 0.45 to 0.21 on expected goals at the interval.
Second half: Tottenham 1-0 Villarreal
Spurs began the second period far too loose in possession. The back line and midfield repeatedly gave the ball away trying to build, only to win it back and then cheaply surrender it again.
Villarreal struggled to make much of it, but Pepe dragged a chance wide after running at the defence on one occasion.
Simons rode his luck when he stopped a promising Villareal counter despite already being booked, with the referee sparing him from a second yellow.
His evening soon ended as Kolo Muani came on for his Spurs debut. The French forward made an immediate impression, picking up a yellow card within a minute, then laying off a chance for Palhinha whose half volley cleared the bar.
The visitors had one last push when Van de Ven fouled Mikautadze on the edge of the box after the Villarreal forward was released on a one-on-one with Vicario, setting up a dangerous free kick. Pepe curled it narrowly wide, and that was the final scare for the hosts.
Spurs nearly killed it off in stoppage time when Kudus led a four against three break, only to pick out the one offside teammate.
FT: TOTTENHAM 1-0 VILLARREAL
Spurs Web man of the match: Micky Van de Ven
What’s next for Spurs?
Thomas Frank has quickly instilled discipline at the back, with this another clean sheet to make it four in five matches this season. That is already a stark contrast to last year under Ange Postecoglou when Spurs managed only six across the entire league campaign.
Like Thomas Frank said, the right flank of Pedro Porro, Bergvall and Kudus looked sharper than the left, where Djed Spence and Simons still need time to click.
Perhaps most importantly, Spurs have made their home a fortress in Europe. They are now unbeaten at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in Europe for almost four years. Much credit to the home fans who are special to play for on European nights.
Next up is Brighton at home in the Premier League on Saturday.
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