Spurs were held to a 1-1 draw by Eintracht Frankfurt in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Despite going behind early, a moment of brilliance from Pedro Porro ensured the tie remains wide open ahead of the return leg in Germany.
Ekitike Strikes Early for Frankfurt
Frankfurt made a strong start as Hugo Ekitike opened the scoring in just the sixth minute. The 22-year-old forward cut inside from the left and calmly slotted the ball into the bottom right corner, finishing off a swift counterattack and stunning the home crowd.
Porro Responds with Stunning Flick
Spurs responded positively, gradually taking control of the game. Their pressure paid off when Pedro Porro made a smart run into the box and flicked home a James Maddison pass with the back of his heel to level the score in the 29th minute. It was a stylish equaliser that lifted the crowd and sparked hope.
Spurs Dominate but Can’t Find Winner
Tottenham continued to push for a winner in the second half. Lucas Bergvall hit the crossbar, Heung-Min Son had a close-range effort saved by Frankfurt keeper Kaua Santos, and Micky van de Ven also struck the woodwork. Despite dominating, Spurs couldn’t convert their chances into a second goal.
Postecoglou: “We Deserved More”
Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou admitted he was frustrated by the result but praised the team’s overall performance:
“The boys were excellent tonight. We hit the bar three times, forced great saves, and created chances. On any other night, we win comfortably.”
Second Leg Preview
Tottenham now travel to Deutsche Bank Park for the second leg on April 17. With a spot in the semi-finals on the line, Spurs must overcome a strong Frankfurt side at home, where they have lost only three times this season.
Player Ratings Highlights:
- Tottenham: Porro (8), Maddison (8), Bergvall (8)
- Frankfurt: Ekitike (8), Santos (8)
- Player of the Match: James Maddison
What’s Next?
The winner of this tie will face either Bodo/Glimt or Lazio in the semi-final. With the tie finely balanced, all eyes now turn to Frankfurt next Thursday.
Second Leg Info: Date: April 17
Kick-off: 8 PM (Local time)
Venue: Deutsche Bank Park, Frankfurt
Can Spurs finish the job away from home?
