Key Takeaways:
- Tottenham began their Champions League campaign with a 1-0 win at home against Villarreal
- Luís Júnior’s own goal in the fourth minute determined the outcome
- Thomas Frank managed his first Champions League match as Spurs head coach
Match Analysis
Tottenham opened their Champions League season in successful fashion by securing a narrow 1-0 triumph over Villarreal in London. The decisive moment arrived almost immediately, as Villarreal’s goalkeeper, Luís Júnior, inadvertently turned the ball into his own net following a cross from Lucas Bergvall in the fourth minute. Attempting to deal with the delivery, Júnior misjudged his handling and bundled the ball past his own goal line, gifting Tottenham the lead.
Starting our Champions League campaign with a win! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/kVEUXjXXnL
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) September 16, 2025
Key Moments in the First Half
It was a challenging debut in the competition for Spurs manager Thomas Frank, whose side struggled to gain control during the first 45 minutes. Micky van de Ven produced a decisive defensive stop to deny Nikolas Pepe a clear chance, while Tajon Buchanan squandered a gilt-edged opportunity. Meanwhile, Júnior partly redeemed himself by pulling off an impressive save to keep out Pape Matar Sarr’s effort.
Second Half and Defensive Resilience
The Spanish side maintained pressure after the interval, but Tottenham’s back line held firm. Despite sustained attacks, Villarreal could not find an equaliser, allowing Spurs to hold on to their slender advantage until the final whistle.
| Team | Goals | Scorer / Incident | Minute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tottenham | 1 | Luís Júnior (own goal) | 4 |
| Villarreal | 0 | – | – |
