Tottenham Hotspur were held to a 1-1 draw by Eintracht Frankfurt in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-final clash on Thursday night.
Spurs made the worst possible start to their clash, conceding within the first six minutes after Hugo Ekitike drove forward during a counter-attack and finished from the edge of the box.
However, Pedro Porro ensured that the hosts were level before the half-hour mark when he audaciously flicked past Kaua Santos.
The second half saw Spurs push for a winner, with Rodrigo Bentancur hitting the crossbar from a corner, but the game ended level after 90 minutes.
Eintracht Frankfurt will host Tottenham in the second leg on April 17 for a place in the semi-finals of the Europa League.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Imago
While Spurs should not have necessarily expected to beat Eintracht Frankfurt considering the German side are third in the Bundesliga, the Londoners may face an uphill battle to progress to the next stage of the competition.
Ange Postecoglou must win the Europa League if he has any hope of staying in the Tottenham dugout, and his entire focus will be on the second leg.
The Eagles will be delighted with the result given away trips in Europe are almost always difficult affairs, and they will be confident of securing a victory next week.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR VS. EINTRACHT FRANKFURT HIGHLIGHTS
Hugo Ekitike goal vs. Tottenham Hotspur (6th min, Tottenham Hotspur 0-1 Eintracht Frankfurt)
In their first attack of the game, Frankfurt take the lead over Spurs thanks to Ekitike 😮💨
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 10, 2025
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/gBbX3tadbe
James Maddison loses the ball in Eintracht Frankfurt's half and the German club quickly play to Ekitike inside Spurs' half, and the forward drives from the left to the edge of the box before firing a strike low into the bottom-right corner.
What a goal from Ekitike!
Pedro Porro goal vs. Eintracht Frankfurt (26th min, Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 Eintracht Frankfurt)
A great cross from Maddison, an even better finish from Pedro Porro sees Spurs go level! 🤩
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 10, 2025
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/pUOhibd0nU
Dominic Solanke lays a pass off to Maddison on the left side of the box, and the attacker plays a low cross towards Porro near the six-yard box, and full-back flicks the ball with his left foot into the back of the net.
An incredible piece of ingenuity!
57th min: Rodrigo Bentancur (Tottenham Hotspur) hits crossbar
© Imago
Bentancur rises highest to Porro's corner and directs his header from the centre of the box to the left side of goal, but his effort bounces off the crossbar before going out of play.
Spurs are pushing for a winner!
MAN OF THE MATCH - JAMES MADDISON
© Imago
Maddison made up for losing possession in the buildup to the visitors' goal by providing an assist for Porro's equaliser.
The attacker also managed to produce the joint most chances (2) and play the second most passes into the final third (7) of anybody on the pitch.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR VS. EINTRACHT FRANKFURT MATCH STATS
Possession: Tottenham Hotspur 57%-43% Eintracht Frankfurt
Shots: Tottenham Hotspur 10-4 Eintracht Frankfurt
Shots on target: Tottenham Hotspur 6-2 Eintracht Frankfurt
Corners: Tottenham Hotspur 9-3 Eintracht Frankfurt
Fouls: Tottenham Hotspur 14-15 Eintracht Frankfurt
BEST STATS
Pedro Porro is the highest rated full-back in the #UEL this season (7.21). 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ZUni4SNUFQ
— WhoScored (@WhoScored) April 10, 2025
WHAT NEXT?
Tottenham return to Premier League action on Sunday against Wolverhampton Wanderers, and after the second leg next Thursday they face Nottingham Forest on April 21.
As for the Eagles, they host Heidenheim on April 13 in the Bundesliga before taking on Augsburg away from home on April 20.
Lewis Nolan
