Tottenham Hotspur pulled off a miraculous victory without their captain Son Heung-min, defeating Eintracht Frankfurt 1-0 in the second leg of the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals on April 18, 2025. The match took place at the Eintracht Frankfurt Stadium, and with this win, Tottenham advanced to the semi-finals with a 2-1 aggregate score after a disappointing 1-1 draw in the first leg.
Tottenham knew they had to secure a win to keep their hopes alive in the tournament, especially after the first leg left them needing a decisive performance. The absence of Son Heung-min, who has been battling a foot injury for several weeks, added to the pressure. Coach Ange Postecoglou confirmed that Son would not travel to Germany due to the ongoing pain from his injury, which he had sustained during a Premier League match against Wolverhampton.
Despite this setback, Tottenham fielded a strong lineup in a 4-3-3 formation. The front trio consisted of Matias Telle, Dominik Solanke, and Brennan Johnson, supported by James Maddison, Rodrigo Bentancur, and Lucas Beriwal in midfield. The back four included Destiny Udogie, Mickey van de Ven, Cristian Romero, and Pedro Porro, with Guglielmo Vicario guarding the goal.
Tottenham's first opportunity came in the 25th minute when Telle's shot from just outside the box was bravely blocked by the Frankfurt goalkeeper, Santos. However, it was Dominik Solanke who made the breakthrough for Tottenham, converting a penalty to give his team a crucial lead. This goal not only lifted the spirits of the players but also set the tone for the remainder of the match.
The first half concluded with Tottenham leading 1-0, and with the aggregate score at 2-1, they were in a favorable position. However, the match was not without its challenges. Eintracht Frankfurt came close to equalizing several times, including a missed penalty opportunity in the 51st minute when Shabi's shot narrowly missed the target.
As the match progressed, Tottenham's defense was put to the test. In the 37th minute, Frankfurt's Ekitiqué passed the ball to Christensen, who attempted a left-footed shot that went wide. The pressure mounted as the home side pushed for an equalizer, but Tottenham's backline held firm, with Van de Ven making several critical interventions.
In a tactical move, Postecoglou substituted Brennan Johnson for Kevin Danso in the 40th minute to bolster their defense as they entered the final stretch of the game. With five minutes of stoppage time added, Frankfurt continued to press for a goal, but Tottenham's resilience paid off, and they held on for the 1-0 victory.
This win is a significant boost for Tottenham, who have faced a tumultuous season, particularly with their league position having dropped to 15th after a recent 2-4 loss to Wolverhampton, a match in which Son Heung-min also did not participate. The team's reliance on their captain has been evident, and his absence in critical matches raises questions about their ability to compete at the highest level.
Postecoglou expressed his disappointment over Son's injury but acknowledged the team's resolve. "Son has been fighting through pain for weeks, and while his absence is a significant blow, we have to adapt and overcome this challenge," he stated. The coach's remarks highlighted the ongoing difficulties faced by the squad, which has had to navigate injuries and inconsistent performances throughout the season.
Looking ahead, Tottenham's progress in the Europa League means they will face either Bodo/Glimt from Norway or Lazio from Italy in the semi-finals, should they continue their winning ways. A potential victory in the tournament would mark the club's first title in 17 years, a prospect that fans and players alike are eager to achieve.
As they celebrate this hard-fought victory, the focus now shifts to recovery and preparation for the next challenge. With Son Heung-min's return uncertain, the rest of the squad will need to step up and fill the void left by their captain, as they aim to secure a spot in the final and end their long trophy drought.
