Tottenham Hotspur were held to a 1-1 draw by Eintracht Frankfurt in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final, but the performance offered something that’s been missing in recent weeks—belief.
The result wasn’t ideal, but the way Spurs responded to early adversity gave fans a reason to stay hopeful.
The match was played in North London, where Tottenham welcomed the Bundesliga side with the weight of recent struggles on their shoulders. They fell behind early to a sharp goal from Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike, who made the most of a defensive slip and struck cleanly into the bottom corner. It could have been the start of a collapse, but Spurs did not wilt under pressure.
Tottenham equalised in style through Pedro Porro, who made amends for his earlier mistake. After being involved in the build-up, he finished the move with a clever backheel flick, capping off one of the rare moments of real quality in a tight game. James Maddison provided the assist with a smart cut-back, giving Porro the chance to make things right.
The fans at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, who had come in remembering past European glory, were pulled back into the contest by the team’s energy. The early blow of Ekitike’s goal didn’t silence them. Instead, the crowd responded, and so did the players. Spurs pushed for a second goal, creating more chances and dominating large spells, especially in the second half.
Frankfurt’s goalkeeper Kaua Santos played a key role in keeping the visitors level. His saves, especially from Son Heung-min and Micky van de Ven, were outstanding. One acrobatic effort to deny Son was among the best seen in the tournament. Santos was aided by the crossbar too, which kept out a thunderous strike from Lucas Bergvall that would have been a contender for goal of the season.
Tottenham’s performance was not perfect. Defensive lapses still linger, and the clinical edge needed to finish strong teams off was missing. But they showed urgency, energy, and something close to fight—qualities that haven’t always been visible this season.
For manager Ange Postecoglou, this draw could become a turning point. With his position under scrutiny and the campaign underwhelming so far, progress in Europe might be the one path to redemption. The second leg in Frankfurt will be a test, but if Spurs can repeat this level of commitment, they’ll have a real chance of going through.
Ekitike’s goal reminded everyone why he’s being watched by top clubs, and Frankfurt will hope he can deliver again next week. But for now, Tottenham know the tie is far from over—and for once, they look ready to fight for it.