Tottenham Advances To Europa League Semi-Finals Without Son Heung-min

Tottenham Hotspur has advanced to the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League, achieving a 1-0 victory against Eintracht Frankfurt at Deutsche Bank Park in Frankfurt on April 18, 2025. The win came despite the absence of their captain, Son Heung-min, who was sidelined due to a foot injury. With this victory, Tottenham secured a 2-1 aggregate score over the two-legged quarter-final, continuing their quest for a title after a long drought.

In the first leg, Tottenham had drawn 1-1 at home, which set the stage for a tense away match in Germany. The stakes were high, and the pressure mounted as Son's injury left a significant gap in the squad. Tottenham announced his exclusion from the squad just before the match, stating, "Son Heung-min will not be traveling to this away game due to a foot injury and will be ruled out of the game against Frankfurt." This news raised concerns among fans and analysts alike, as Son had been a crucial part of the team's attacking force, contributing 11 goals and 12 assists in 43 appearances this season, including three goals in the Europa League.

Coach Ange Postecoglou opted for a 4-3-3 formation in Son's absence, fielding Matias Tell, Dominik Solanke, and Brennan Johnson as the front three. The midfield was anchored by James Maddison, Rodrigo Bentancur, and Lucas Bergvall, while the defense included Destiny Udogie, Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero, and Pedro Porro, with Guglielmo Vicario in goal.

The match began with both teams exchanging early chances. Frankfurt attempted to capitalize on their home advantage, and in the 3rd minute, Bahoya received a pass from Götze and fired a left-footed shot that was expertly saved by Vicario. Tottenham responded with Tell attempting a threatening shot from outside the box in the 25th minute, but it was also blocked by the Frankfurt goalkeeper, Kaua Santos.

As the first half progressed, the tension escalated. In the 16th minute, Frankfurt's Ekitike made a dangerous run but was thwarted by a decisive tackle from Van de Ven. Shortly after, the home side faced a setback when Mario Götze sustained a hamstring injury and had to be substituted by Chaibi.

Tottenham finally broke the deadlock in the 43rd minute when Maddison was fouled by the goalkeeper during a header attempt, leading to a penalty kick being awarded after a VAR review. Solanke stepped up to take the penalty and coolly converted it, giving Tottenham a 1-0 lead just before halftime. However, Maddison could not continue due to the impact of the collision and was replaced by Dejan Kulusevski.

The first half ended with Tottenham leading 1-0, but the second half promised to be a battle. Frankfurt intensified their efforts to equalize, and in the 6th minute, Chaibi's free-kick narrowly missed the target. The German side continued to press, creating several opportunities but failing to convert them into goals. Ekitike's right-footed shot was saved by Vicario, who proved to be a formidable presence in goal.

Tottenham maintained composure, despite Frankfurt's relentless attacks. In the 15th minute of the second half, Romero's header from a corner kick just missed the goalpost, illustrating the narrow margins that defined the match. As the game wore on, Frankfurt made further substitutions, bringing in Wahid and Knauff to bolster their attack.

Despite their efforts, Frankfurt could not find the back of the net. Rasmus Christensen had a golden opportunity in the 30th minute, but his header went just wide, and he squandered another chance shortly after. Tottenham's defense held firm, with Vicario making crucial saves to preserve the lead.

As the match approached its conclusion, Tottenham focused on solidifying their defense, making tactical substitutions to maintain their advantage. Postecoglou replaced Johnson with Danso, reinforcing their defensive line. The game ended with a final score of 1-0 in favor of Tottenham, securing their place in the semi-finals.

This victory marks a significant moment for Tottenham, who have not lifted a trophy since the 2008 League Cup. The Europa League presents their best chance for silverware this season, especially after struggling in the Premier League, where they currently sit 15th with only 37 points from 32 matches. With the pressure mounting on the club, including speculation about Postecoglou's future depending on the outcome of this tournament, the win against Frankfurt is a crucial step towards redemption.

As Tottenham prepares for the semi-finals, they will face either Lazio or Bodø/Glimt, with hopes of finally clinching a title that has eluded them for so long. Son Heung-min, despite his injury, will be eager to contribute to the team’s success as they aim for glory in Europe.