UEFA Champions League 

TOTTENHAM 1 (Junior 4 og) 
VILLARREAL 0

TOTTENHAM enjoyed a winning start as they returned to the Champions League for the first time since 2023 with a victory over Spain’s Villarreal tonight (Tuesday).

A terrible goalkeeping mistake by the visitors Luiz Junior on just four minutes was enough to seal the win. Junior plonked himself down on a low Lucas Bergvall cross and turned the ball into his own net. It would prove to be enough for the home side.

Speaking after the game, Thomas Frank highlighted another clean sheet – his side have conceded just one goal so far in five games this term.

He said: “I saw a good win in our first Champions League game. A clean sheet, which I am very happy with. I was happy how we defended throughout – we gave very little away and the structure was good most of the time.”

The Tottenham boss also said while the game ended in victory, there was plenty of room to improve. He added: “In the back of my head I know we have not played a top game and that irritates me a little bit. But we were very good defensively and that gives us a foundation to build on.”

Spurs started at a fair lick: on two minutes Xavi Simons almost got his side off to a dream start. A flowing move saw the ball drop nicely and the winger swished a shot just over from the edge of the box.

But Tottenham did not have to wait much longer for the opener; it came from a complete howler by Villarreal’s goalkeeper. Bergvall had broken down the right and put a ball into the six-yard area, hoping Richarlison might meet it: instead, Junior plunged low to gather and watched in horror as the ball squirted out of his grip and crept across the line.

It settled Spurs, who were patient in possession. On 17 minutes, a clever move down the right with Mohammed Kudus pulling the strings saw Rodrigo Bentancur’s goal-bound effort deflected over. The midfielder would later stoop down to a low cross but see his header again clear the crossbar.

For Richarlison, there was a lot of huff and puff but not much end product. He was carefully policed by Juan Foyth, the ex-Spur who joined Tottenham under Mauricio Pochettino, but never made his mark.

At Villarreal, Foyth has matured into a centre-back of some standing in La Liga and captained the side. He enjoyed a good game back in north London.

Midway through the first half Villarreal had a golden opportunity to level things when a well worked move saw Cristian Romero fail to clear under pressure. Tajon Buchanan went for the guided side-foot into the bottom corner but his radar was well out and his shot drifted wide of the far post.

After the break, Villarreal came out higher up the pitch and it took Frank’s men 15 minutes to settle. But pressure was soaked up and Spurs began to explore wide open spaces as Villarreal’s more forward thinking set up chased an equaliser.

On 71 minutes Kudus and Bergvall conjured up a nice chance for a sprawling Richarlison at the back stick, but he was again well shadowed and could only get an incoherent header wide.

Up the other end, an 85th minute hit and hope saw Nicolas Pepe and Micky van de Ven get into a foot race which ended up in an edge of the box tussle and a Villarreal free-kick. Pepe’s effort was not far off, but far off enough for the home fans.

Plus points following the grinding 1-0 victory includes the fact winning ugly is an attribute worth nurturing.

Another point worth highlighting was the attendance of 54,755 – perhaps Spurs could do with considering reduced ticket prices for these group stages to ensure the side perform in front of a sell out crowd.

Tottenham: Vicario, Romero, van de Ven, Spence (Udogie, 68), Porro, Bentancur, Bergvall (Danso, 90), Sarr (Palhinha, 68), Simons, Kudus, Richarlison (Kolo Muani, 76)
Substitutes not used: Kinsky, Austin, Danso, Gray, Odobert, Davies, Scarlett, Byfield

Villarreal: Junior, Foyth, Mikautadze, Veiga, Comesana (Partey, 77), Mourino, Buchanan (Moleiro, 81, Gueye (Parejo, 77), Pepe, Perez (Pedraza, 74), Cardona (Akhomach, 74)
Substitutes not used: Conde, Tenas, Altimira, Solomon, Oluwaseyi,, Navarro.