Tottenham strengthened control of their Champions League group with a 2-0 home win over Borussia Dortmund, as Cristian Romero and Dominic Solanke scored their first goals in the competition. Dortmund played
with 10 players for over an hour, and Spurs used the advantage to protect a perfect home record in Europe and move into fourth place with one game remaining.
The result arrived after a difficult domestic spell for Spurs under Thomas Frank, whose side lost 2-1 at home to West Ham the previous weekend. League form has raised questions about Frank’s position, yet the Champions League campaign has provided relief, with four wins from four home matches and renewed confidence in securing a top-eight finish overall.
Spurs controlled almost every phase, limiting Dortmund to rare attacks and one effort on target. The hosts produced 16 shots and generated 2.23 expected goals, reflecting constant pressure across both halves. Dortmund managed only five attempts in total and struggled to escape their own half, especially once reduced to 10 players after Daniel Svensson’s dismissal.
The opening goal arrived after 13 minutes from a set-piece that Dortmund failed to clear. Pedro Porro’s corner caused confusion, and Wilson Odobert collected the loose ball before driving a low cross towards the penalty spot. Romero met it first time, steering a precise finish beyond Gregor Kobel to register a first Champions League strike.
Another home win in the Champions League! pic.twitter.com/XJiZ864xWnTottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 20, 2026
Dortmund’s task grew harder when Svensson received a red card for a high challenge on Odobert, following a VAR review that upgraded the original yellow. Spurs soon doubled the lead after 37 minutes, again through Odobert’s work down the right. The winger advanced and squared for Solanke, whose off-balance effort bounced in off the far post during a first start of the season.
Dortmund still threatened at times despite the numerical disadvantage. Julian Ryerson went closest from a free-kick, curling just wide of the left post. Xavi Simons then forced Kobel into a sharp near-post save from a tight angle. Late on, Randal Kolo Muani broke clear one-on-one but shot straight at Kobel, missing a chance to increase the margin.
Spurs relied on Guglielmo Vicario to maintain the clean sheet near the end. Nico Schlotterbeck almost pulled a goal back for Dortmund, only for Vicario to produce a strong stop that underlined an assured display. That save eased some pressure on Frank, whose future had been questioned throughout the week as media scrutiny on Tottenham’s league results increased.
Solanke’s goal carried extra meaning in the club’s Champions League history. The forward became only the fifth player to score on a Champions League debut for Spurs, and only the second English player to do so for the club, following Peter Crouch’s goal against Werder Bremen in September 2010. Dortmund’s defeat also harmed their own top-eight ambitions and included their 10th red card in the competition.
Spurs now sit in a strong position before the final group fixture, with four home wins and no goals conceded in this European campaign. The victory over Dortmund helped restore belief after domestic setbacks and highlighted a clear difference between league and Champions League form, while Dortmund left north London facing renewed pressure on qualifying hopes.
