Dominic Solanke’s first-half penalty proved enough to send Tottenham Hotspur into their first UEFA competition semi-final since 2019, as they secured a hard-fought 1-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt. The result also ended Frankfurt’s impressive 12-match unbeaten run in the UEFA Europa League at Deutsche Bank Park.
The hosts had the first real chance of the game when Kauã Santos played a long ball to release Hugo Ekitike behind Spurs’ defence, but Micky van de Ven recovered well to prevent a clear goalscoring opportunity. Tottenham slowly grew into the match and came close when Mathys Tel forced a strong save from Santos with a curling effort.
The breakthrough came after Santos brought down James Maddison in the box, and Solanke stepped up to confidently convert the penalty – his first goal in 11 games – with a strike down the middle.
Postecoglou’s men knew they needed to become the first team this season to keep a clean sheet at Deutsche Bank Park to go through, and they managed just that. Frankfurt came close after the break, especially from a Farès Chaïbi free-kick that shaved the post and a late close-range effort that was brilliantly saved by Guglielmo Vicario.
Despite heavy pressure from the home side in the final stages, Spurs held firm. Solanke’s spot-kick ultimately settled the tie, ending Tottenham’s four-match losing streak away from home and keeping their hopes of a first European title since 1984 alive.
