Here’s a rewritten version of the article, aiming for 100% uniqueness, an engaging tone, and the specified H2/H3 tags, while preserving the original meaning.
—
## Spurs Seal Champions League Progression with Decisive Win in Frankfurt
Tottenham Hotspur secured their passage to the Champions League last 16 following a commanding performance against an already-eliminated Eintracht Frankfurt at the Deutsche Bank Park. Second-half goals from Randal Kolo Muani and Dominic Solanke propelled Spurs to a comfortable victory, extending their winning streak in the competition’s league phase to three matches.
### Kolo Muani and Solanke Strike Gold
The deadlock was broken just two minutes after the restart when former Frankfurt forward Randal Kolo Muani, who had represented the German club during the 2022/23 season, expertly nudged the ball home in the 47th minute. The opportunity arose from a precise header by Cristian Romero, setting Tottenham on a clear path to triumph.
Dominic Solanke, a player with a history of delivering crucial goals for Tottenham in European competition – notably sending them to the Europa League semi-finals last season with a strike at this very venue – doubled Spurs’ advantage. He capitalised on a defensive error when former Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Mahmoud Dahoud misjudged a header, inadvertently sending Solanke clean through on goal. The striker made no mistake, clinically slotting a low finish into the far corner of the net.
The match hadn’t been without its early drama for Spurs, as Xavi Simons saw a close-range effort disallowed inside the opening three minutes. Despite his team’s struggles in domestic league form, languishing in 14th place with only one win from their last eight top-flight encounters, under-pressure manager Thomas Frank can find solace in a remarkably serene Champions League campaign.
## Frank’s European Fortunes Shine Amidst Domestic Woes
While speculation mounts regarding manager Thomas Frank’s future, especially in the wake of a disappointing 2-2 draw against relegation-threatened Burnley just days prior, his inaugural Champions League journey as a coach continues to reach new heights. This latest success came against an Eintracht Frankfurt side that appeared distinctly out of sorts.
Tottenham showcased moments of attacking prowess throughout the game. In the first half, Wilson Odobert unleashed a powerful long-range shot that rattled the post. Later, Simons nearly pounced on a miscue by Frankfurt goalkeeper Kaua Santos, whose misplaced pass gifted the new signing a clear sight of goal, only for Santos to redeem himself with an impressive save.
Looking ahead, Tottenham now find themselves a comfortable eight points clear of the relegation zone in the league, with a challenging home fixture against Manchester City scheduled for Sunday at 16:30 GMT.
## Matchday Squads
### Eintracht Frankfurt Lineup vs Spurs
**Frankfurt Starting XI:** Kaua Santos, Aurele Amenda, Robin Koch, Arthur Theate, Aurelio Buta, Oscar Hojlund, Ellyes Skhiri, Hugo Larsson, Nathaniel Brown, Mario Gotze, Ansgar Knauff
**Frankfurt Substitutes:** Jens Grahl, Fares Chaïbi, Rasmus Kristensen, Mahmoud Dahoud, Jean-Mattéo Bahoya, Ritsu Doan, Timothy Chandler, Michael Zetterer, Nnamdi Collins, Fousseny Doumbia, Marvin Dills, Alexander Staff
### Tottenham Hotspur Lineup vs Eintracht Frankfurt
Tottenham manager Thomas Frank opted for significant changes following the 2-2 draw at Burnley. Five new faces were introduced to the starting XI: Destiny Udogie, Archie Gray, Pape Matar Sarr, Joao Palhinha, and goalscorer Randal Kolo Muani. Kolo Muani’s inclusion against his former club was particularly noteworthy, given recent transfer rumours linking him with a return to Juventus.
Micky van de Ven, Pedro Porro, Yves Bissouma, Conor Gallagher, and Dominic Solanke were all rotated out of the starting lineup, with Solanke being the sole senior outfield player held in reserve on a bench predominantly comprised of young talent.
**Tottenham Starting XI:** Guglielmo Vicario, Djed Spence, Cristian Romero, Kevin Danso, Destiny Udogie, Wilson Odobert, Joao Palhinha, Pape Matar Sarr, Archie Gray, Xavi Simons, Randal Kolo Muani
**Spurs Substitutes:** Antonin Kinsky, Dominic Solanke, Brandon Austin, Dane Scarlett, Callum Olusesi, Rio Kyerematen, Malachi Hardy, Jun’ai Byfield, James Rowswell, Tye Hall
## Key Statistics from the Encounter
* Eintracht Frankfurt has managed only one victory across their seven Champions League fixtures.
* Frankfurt currently occupies the 33rd position out of 36 teams in the league-phase standings.
* Tottenham has demonstrated strong form in the Champions League, securing three wins from their last four matches.
* However, Spurs are yet to register a win in any of their three away games in the competition.
* Eintracht Frankfurt’s defense has been vulnerable, conceding at least three goals in five of their last six matches.
## The Road Ahead: Champions League Knockout Phase Dates
The thrilling journey of the Champions League continues with these crucial dates:
* **Knockout Phase Play-offs:** February 17/18 & 24/25, 2026
* **Round of 16:** March 10/11 & 17/18, 2026
* **Quarter-finals:** April 7/8 & 14/15, 2026
* **Semi-finals:** April 28/29 and May 5/6, 2026
* **Final:** May 30, 2026 (Budapest)
## Upcoming Champions League Draw Dates
Mark your calendars for these important draw events:
* **Knockout Phase Play-offs Draw:** January 30, 2026
* **Round of 16, Quarter-final, Semi-final, and Final Draws:** February 27, 2026
## Understanding the New Champions League 2025/26 Format
The 2025/26 Champions League season introduces a revamped league phase, departing from the traditional group stage model. Each participating team now competes in eight matches, facing a different opponent in each fixture.
Teams will play an equal number of home and away games (four each). Opponents are determined by a seeding system, drawing two teams from each of four designated pots – one home fixture and one away fixture per pot. All results contribute to a single, comprehensive league table.
The top eight teams in this unified league automatically advance to the Round of 16. Clubs finishing between ninth and 24th positions will enter a two-legged knockout phase play-off to earn a spot in the last 16. Teams ranked 25th or lower will conclude their European campaign for the season.
## England’s Strong European Presence: Six Clubs in the Champions League
The 2025/26 Champions League sees an impressive contingent of six English teams, a testament to the Premier League’s strength. Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, and Newcastle all secured their places by finishing within the top five of the Premier League.
The additional slots for English clubs are awarded based on UEFA’s co-efficient rankings, which assess a nation’s overall performance across all European competitions throughout a given season. Tottenham Hotspur earned their qualification as the reigning Europa League champions, a remarkable achievement given their challenging domestic form in the 2024/25 season, which saw them record 22 losses against just 11 wins in league play.
## The Grand Finale: Champions League Final 2026
The climax of the 2025/26 Champions League season will unfold on May 30, 2026, at the magnificent Puskás Aréna in Budapest. Opened in 2019, this state-of-the-art stadium serves as the home ground for Hungary’s national team.
The Puskás Aréna previously hosted a dramatic 2022/23 Europa League final, where Sevilla emerged victorious over Roma in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw following extra time, promising another thrilling spectacle for the Champions League final.
## Tottenham Hotspur’s Champions League Squad 2025/26
Tottenham’s List A Champions League squad has been officially registered and will remain in effect until the Round of 16 in February 2026. At that point, clubs are permitted to register a maximum of three new players, adhering to the overall limit of 25 squad members.
**Goalkeepers:** Guglielmo Vicario, Antonin Kinsky, Brandon Austin
**Defenders:** Kevin Danso, Destiny Udogie, Archie Gray, Cristian Romero, Pedro Porro, Djed Spence, Ben Davies, Micky van de Ven
**Midfielders:** Joao Palhinha, Xavi Simons, Lucas Bergvall, Wilson Odobert, Pape Matar Sarr, Rodrigo Bentancur
**Forwards:** Richarlison, Dominic Solanke, Mohammed Kudus, Brennan Johnson, Randal Kolo Muani
Clubs also have the flexibility to submit List B players – those born after January 1, 2004, who have been eligible to play for the club for an uninterrupted period of two years since their 15th birthday. These submissions can be made up until midnight on the day before each match.
—