Tottenham Hotspur marked their return to the UEFA Champions League with a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Villarreal, as an early own goal proved decisive in the first-ever meeting between the clubs. The Yellow Submarine are now winless in fifteen matches against English opposition in this competition.
Spurs made the perfect start inside four minutes when Lucas Bergvall’s driven cross was turned into the net by goalkeeper Luiz Junior. Villarreal responded with intent through former Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe, who cut inside and bent an effort narrowly wide, before pouncing on a loose clearance to tee up Tajon Buchanan, only for the Canadian to drag his shot off target.
As half-time approached, Tottenham thought they had a chance to double the lead from the spot when Richarlison went down in the area, but a VAR review overturned the initial decision, and the interval arrived at 1–0.
Villarreal carried the greater threat after the restart. Juan Foyth nodded wide from a set piece, and Pepe flashed another shot past the upright after a high press forced a turnover. Thomas Frank’s side then weathered the pressure and fashioned a series of half-chances of their own without finding a clinical finish.
The closing stages were frenetic but ultimately fruitless for the visitors. Pepe’s late free kick from the edge of the box fizzed wide, summing up a night of near misses for the Spanish side. Spurs, meanwhile, managed the final minutes to secure a clean sheet and three points on opening night.
Defeat extends Villarreal’s winless run to three matches in all competitions and leaves them facing a daunting assignment against Juventus on match day two. Tottenham take confidence from a disciplined display and the perfect start to their European campaign.
