Premier League outfit Tottenham got their UEFA Champions League 2025/26 season off to a winning start following a 1-0 win in their opener against Villarreal on Wednesday.
An own-goal from Villarreal goalkeeper Luiz Junior early in the game helped Thomas Frank’s Spurs to a triumph at home in North London.
Luiz Junior inadvertently allowed Lucas Bergvall’s cross to trickle into his own net early in the first half in north London. That was enough for Tottenham to secure the points on their return to Europe’s elite club competition after a two-year absence.
The victory maintained Tottenham’s impressive form under new boss Thomas Frank.
Frank, hired from Brentford in June to replace Ange Postecoglou, got his first opportunity to manage in the Champions
League. Postecoglou was sacked just 16 days after leading Tottenham to a Europa League final victory against Manchester United, which secured their place in the Champions League.
Frank’s appointment was orchestrated by Daniel Levy, who has since stepped down as Tottenham chairman, reportedly forced out by the club’s owners.
Tottenham’s summer of change hasn’t hindered their progress, with three wins from Frank’s first four Premier League games and a successful start to their Champions League campaign.
“Of course I’m very happy with that. I definitely learned you have to be happy with your wins and appreciate them,” Frank said.
“I think there were many good things. We defended really well and gave little away throughout the game against a really good Villarreal side.
“Offensively we didn’t hit the highest level. There was a spell where we decided let’s give it to the Villarreal guys and then we’ll sprint back! It was a very even game that we just edged.”
Villarreal introduced former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey to loud jeers in the closing stages as the Ghanaian prepared for a court date on Wednesday.
Partey has been charged with five counts of rape and one charge of sexual assault, allegations he denies.
Frank admitted it was a “big thing” to participate in the Champions League but said he would only allow himself “two minutes” to soak in the Champions League anthem before focusing on beating Villarreal.
The 51-year-old former PE teacher’s only previous experience managing in European competition was in qualifying for the Europa League with Brondby.
But Tottenham ensured he adapted to the bigger stage seamlessly.
Xavi Simons set the tone with a fierce volley that flashed just over from the edge of the area.
Tottenham took the lead after just four minutes when Bergvall’s cross towards Richarlison was spilled into his own net by Luiz Junior.
It was a dreadful mistake from the Villarreal keeper, who was under no pressure as he allowed the ball to squirm under his body.
Former Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe was back on familiar ground in north London, and the Villarreal star came close to equalising with a rocket that deflected just wide.
Tottenham were in Champions League action for the first time since losing to AC Milan in the last 16 in 2023, with Cristian Romero the only surviving member of that team still at the club.
Romero’s panicked clearance almost presented Villarreal with an equaliser as Pepe set up Tajon Buchanan for a low strike that just missed the far post.
Pape Sarr, who scored in Saturday’s win at West Ham, threatened with a powerful strike that Luiz Junior saved at full stretch.
Villarreal’s former Tottenham defender Juan Foyth should have levelled with a glancing header that went wide in the second half.
Tottenham suddenly began misplacing passes at an alarming rate, and Pepe was inches wide with a low shot as Frank paced anxiously on the touchline.
Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven was fortunate not to be sent off after a VAR review for his last-ditch tackle.
Pepe curled wide for the visitors, but Tottenham held on in a tense finale.
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