Eintracht Frankfurt end their UEFA Champions League journey with defeat to Tottenham Hotspur

Eintracht Frankfurt fell to a 2-0 defeat at home to Tottenham Hotspur in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday night, their final game in the competition after finishing the league phase in 33rd.

Eintracht Frankfurt 0–2 Tottenham Hotspur
Goals: 0-1 Kolo Muani 47‘ (assist: Romero), 0-2 Solanke 77‘

Frankfurt's final Champions League match of the season saw them face Tottenham Hotspur, with contrasting fortunes for both sides. The hosts were already eliminated from the competition before kick-off, having failed to win any of their previous six matches in the league phase since an opening day victory over Galatasaray. 

Meanwhile, Tottenham arrived knowing a win would secure their direct passage to the last 16 as one of the top eight finishers. The London club have been struggling domestically, sitting 14th in the Premier League, but have found form in Europe with four consecutive home wins without conceding. 

Mario Götze was one of six changes from Eintracht Frankfurt's recent defeat to Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga. - IMAGO/Marc Schueler

Woodwork denies both sides in goalless first half

The visitors almost made a perfect start when Xavi Simons found the net in the third minute, but referee Jesús Gil Manzano disallowed the goal for a foul on Aurèle Amenda in the build-up. The first major opportunity fell to former Bayern Munich man João Palhinha seeing his close-range header from Xavi's corner brilliantly saved by Kauã Santos.

As the half progressed, Tottenham began to assert their dominance, with Wilson Odobert striking the post with a powerful effort from distance in the 29th minute, before Xavi was denied in a one-on-one situation after Santos had gifted possession away. Frankfurt's best chance came in the final moments of the half when Hugo Larsson latched onto Ellyes Skhiri's clever through ball, only to see his strike cannon off the crossbar with Guglielmo Vicario beaten.

Hugo Larsson had Frankfurt's best chance of the game, but couldn't make it count. - IMAGO/Stephan Hahne

Former Eagle Kolo Muani breaks Frankfurt hearts

Tottenham made a dream start to the second half, breaking the deadlock just two minutes after the restart. Xavi's pinpoint cross from the left found Cristian Romero at the far post, who headed the ball across goal for Kolo Muani to tap in from close range against his former club. The Eagles tried to respond with Aurélio Buta forcing a save from Vicario in the 53rd minute, but Tottenham continued to look the more dangerous side.

Kolo Muani then nearly doubled his tally with a header that flew narrowly wide on the hour mark. Frankfurt made a triple substitution in the 72nd minute, bringing on Ritsu Dōan, Farès Chaïbi and Mahmoud Dahoud in an attempt to salvage something from the game. However, it was a Tottenham substitute who made the decisive impact. Dominic Solanke, who had replaced Odobert just minutes earlier, capitalised on a defensive error when Dahoud inadvertently headed the ball into his path, allowing the English striker to control and slot past Santos to make it 2-0 in the 77th minute.

Dominic Solanke struck Spurs' second in the closing stages, although the result was never really in doubt by that stage. - IMAGO/Javier Garcia/Shutterstock

About the clubs

Eintracht Frankfurt

Deutsche Bank Park