Tottenham opened their 2025-26 Champions League campaign with a 1-0 victory at home to Villarreal, though will be a tad grateful they were able to claim three points on opening night. Thomas Frank made his debut as a coach in Europe's top club competition and will be relieved that his side took the three points, but will know there is work to do if they are to progress from the league phase.
It took Tottenham only four minutes to take the lead, though it came through fortuitous circumstances. Lucas Bergvall's low cross into Richarlison was easily cut out by Luiz Junior, but somehow the Villarreal goalkeeper fumbled the ball backwards over the goal line.
Spurs wanted a penalty towards the end of the first half when Richarlison was felled by Pape Gueye, though their appeals were dismissed and a lengthy VAR check proved inconclusive. Gueye got away with another VAR call when the ball ricocheted up onto his arm inside the 18-yard box soon after.
An incredibly dull second half almost sparked into life near its end when Micky van de Ven brought down Georges Mikautadze just outside his own penalty area, with VAR confirming a free-kick but not a red card despite the hefty challenge. Former Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe flashed the resulting set piece narrowly wide and that was as close as Villarreal came to finding an equaliser, with Spurs holding on to secure a fourth clean sheet from their opening six matches in all competitions this season.
GOAL rates Spurs' players from Tottenham Hotspur Stadium…
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Guglielmo Vicario (5/10):
Flapped at a cross early on and skewed a pass into the feet of an opposition attacker in the second half, but didn't have a lot else to do.
Pedro Porro (6/10):
A lot more assured defensively than he has been already this season. Couldn't get forward too often due to Villarreal's pressing.
Cristian Romero (6/10):
The only defender who at least tried to make the odd line-breaking pass, even if they were usually cut out pretty swiftly.
Micky van de Ven (6/10):
Made a couple of fine recovery challenges with his trademark pace and power, though another referee may have sent him off for his challenge on Mikautadze late on.
Djed Spence (4/10):
England's newest international endured a frustrating evening at both ends. Found it tough marking ex-Arsenal winger Pepe, while his reluctance to play the ball down the line made Spurs easy to defend against on the left flank. Hooked for Udogie.
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Rodrigo Bentancur (6/10):
Kept play ticking neatly in the centre of the park, while he also swept up diligently.
Lucas Bergvall (7/10):
It was his cross that led to Junior's strange own goal, though the young Swede could hardly take any credit for breaking the deadlock. Dragged the team up the pitch at times, as Frank has made a point of. Afforded a standing ovation when brought off for Danso.
Pape Matar Sarr (6/10):
Found pockets of space between midfield and attack on occasion, but not enough to actually harm Villarreal. Substituted for Palhinha.
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Mohammed Kudus (5/10):
Probably his poorest game since joining Spurs this summer, holding onto the ball for too long and misplacing simple passes.
Richarlison (5/10):
The Brazilian's inability to hold the ball up made playing through the middle a chore for Spurs. Taken off for debutant Kolo Muani.
Xavi Simons (6/10):
If anyone looked like producing a piece of magic, it was the mercurial Simons. However, he could only show brief glimpses of his trickery before being subbed for Johnson.
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Destiny Udogie (5/10):
Came on for Spence as he ramps up his return to full fitness. A little overeager in the challenge.
Joao Palhinha (6/10):
On in place of Sarr and brought some needed steel to the midfield battle.
Randal Kolo Muani (5/10):
Replaced Richarlison. Hardly involved on his first appearance for Spurs.
Brennan Johnson (5/10):
On for Simons, though like Kolo Muani couldn't get on the ball too much.
Kevin Danso (N/A):
On in stoppage time for Bergvall to see out the win.
Thomas Frank (6/10):
Tottenham were poor for much of the evening, though not poor enough to actually cede a chance of note.