U.E.F.A CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
MATCHDAY 8
WEDNESDAY 28TH JANUARY, 2026
(8PM GMT)
EINTRACHT FRANKFURT 0(0) TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2(0)

Spurs Scorers:-
Kolo Muani, 47
Solanke, 77

Attendance:- 58,000

Referee:- Jesus Gil Manzano
Assistants:- Angel Nevado & Guadalupe Porras Ayuso
Fourth official:- Francisco Jose Hernandez Maeso
VAR:- Guillermo Cuadra Fernandez
Assistant VAR:- Valentin Gomez
(All officials from Spain)

Teams:-
Eintracht (3-4-3):- 40. Santos; 5. Amenda, 4. Koch (Capt.), 3. Theate; 24. Buta, 6. Hojlund (sub 18. Dahoud, 72), 15. Skhiri (sub 8. Chaibi, 72), 16. Larsson (sub 19. Bahoya, 83), 21. Brown (sub 20. Doan, 72); 27. Gotze (sub 45. Dills, 83), 7. Knauff

Subs not used:- 23. Zetterer, 33. Grahl; 13. Kristensen, 22. Chandler, 34. Collins, 41. Doumbia; 53. Staff

No bookings

Spurs (4-3-4-33):- 1. Vicario; 6. Palhinha, 17. Romero (Capt.), 4. Danso; 24. Spence, 14. Gray, 29. Sarr, 13. Udogie (sub 67. Byfield, 89); 28. Odobert (sub 19. Solanke, 73), 39. Kolo Muani (sub 44. Scarlett, 84), 7. Xavi

Subs not used:- 31. Kinsky, 40. Austin; 66. Hardy, 76. Rowswell; 52. Olusesi, 57. Kyerematen, 89. Hall

Booked:- Vicario (time), Palhinha (foul on Dills)

Spurs march through to the Round of 16!

Thanks to Eugene Gasper for this picture

Despite the absence of no less than 14 injured and illegible players, and against expectations, Spurs have avoided the play-off round and marched straight through to the round of 16. Ending this Champions League (league phase) with three successive wins, Spurs have finished fourth - above the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester City and PSG! In doing so they have also guaranteed themselves a home second leg in the round of 16, and (if successful) the quarter-final.

Thomas Frank's formation was not disclosed until kick-off. He chose to match Eintracht's 3-4-3 formation with Joao Palhinha playing on the right of the back three next to Romero and Danso. Kolo Muani, who played for Eintracht between March 2022 and September 2023, got the nod ahead of Dominic Solanke. Apart from Solanke and the two goalkeepers, the Spurs bench was full of youngsters.

There was a hint of snow falling before kick-off. This turned to sleet, then rain, but the spirits of the team were not dampened. Despite their absences, all the pre-match talk suggested Spurs would beat a Frankfurt side who have yet to win this year, and who had their own injuries to contend with.

Spurs were in their all-white strip and kicked off playing away from the travelling fans. They had the ball in the net within two minutes after Kolo Muani crossed low from the left and Xavi hit the net before performing an elaborate dancing celebration. Spanish referee Jesus Gil Manzano had already blown his whistle and his decision to award a foul by Udogie in the build-up was upheld by VAR.

Spurs remained on the front foot and Odobert won a corner on the right. This was taken by Xavi and headed back into the danger zone by Romero. Palhinha's header was pushed round his post by goalkeeper Santos for another corner. Nothing came of that.

The home side, roared on by their exuberant crowd had their moments of possession, but without threat at this stage. A Djed Spence effort from the right was easy for Santos.

Skhiri caused danger with a ball for 33-year-old 2014 World Cup winning goalscorer Mario Gotze, but the ball ran to Vicario.

Pape Sarr was making his first Spurs appearance since the Slavia Prague game. He only made one appearance in Morocco for Senegal, but he too is a trophy winner - in the African Cup of Nations. He blazed a shot over after good play in the build-up by Xavi, Spence, and Archie Gray.

Udogie headed off target after a cross by Muani. Wilson Odobert hit Santos's left post with a low shot after another move in which Xavi was the driving force. Spurs really should have had a two or three goal lead by now. A poor pass out by Santos gave Xavi a chance. He took a little too long to find a shot and the goalkeeper made a recovery save.

Another build-up had Xavi at its heart before Kolo Muani passed to Sarr, whose shot was at least closer to the target.

Spurs had a scare when Larsson beat the offside trap and hit a rising shot which went out off the top of Vicario's bar.

At half-time, even with a point, Spurs were in the top eight, but with 18 games being played at the same time, the situation was ever-changing and Spurs really needed a win to secure the top eight position.

They took the lead within two minutes of the re-start. Xavi took a free kick on the left wing, and after exchanging a short pass, he crossed deep again. Romero headed back and it was Kolo Muani whose flicked shot beat Santos at close range.

Skhiri tried to create a response with a ball for Buta, but the ball ran to Vicario. At the other end, after his long throw came back, Kevin Danso crossed from the right and Muani's header passed just wide.

Djed Spence carried the ball forward with a penetrating run and after his cross, both Xavi and Odobert had touched before a Sarr shot was saved. Xavi took a Spurs free kick from the left of centre and had a shot after exchanging passes with Romero. His shot actually went out of play off Danso.

More Xavi magic gave Kolo Muani another chance, but he hit his right-footed shot over the target.

Spurs were fourth in the standings at this stage.

An Archie Gray shot was blocked after a Xavi corner from the left. There were plenty of good performances by Spurs players, but Archie Gray was something of an unsung hero at the back of midfield, always available for a pass in a box to box showing.

Interim Frankfurt coach Dennis Schmitt made a triple substitution, after which Romero's shot following a Danso long throw was held by Santos. Dominic Solanke replaced Odobert after 73 minutes.

Vicario was booked for time-wasting, which seemed a little harsh, but Solanke scored his second Champions League goal in eight days when he picked up a loose defensive header and raced goalward, beating Santos with a low, angled right-footed shot across the keeper.

Spurs consolidated and held on to that two-goal lead. Scarlett replaced Muani and Jun'ai Byfield made his second Champions League appearance with added time remaining. Spence moved to the left.

Palhinha saw the only other yellow card for a foul on Frankfurt debutant 18-year-old American midfielder Marvin Dills. The free kick was blocked, and Spurs could celebrate a great win after a very good performance.

Thanks to Eugene Gasper for this picture

A draw takes place tomorrow (Friday) to determine the play-off paths, but it seems that (at this stage) Spurs could face one of Juventus, Atletico Madrid, Club Brugge, or Galatasaray in the round of 16.

We can at least take a breather in February from the Champions League and focus on challenging Premier League games against both Manchester teams, Newcastle and Arsenal. I hope we can take our Champions League form into those games.

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