Tottenham Hotspur began their Champions League journey with a battling 1-0 win over Villarreal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, extending the Yellow Submarine’s dismal run against English opposition to 15 matches without a win.
Spurs struck early when Villarreal goalkeeper Luiz Júnior turned Lucas Bergvall’s cross into his own net after just four minutes.
The visitors almost responded immediately as former Arsenal winger Nicolas Pépé curled narrowly wide, before later setting up Tajon Buchanan, who wasted a golden chance with a wayward strike.
Richarlison thought he had earned a penalty before half-time, but a VAR review overturned the decision to keep Tottenham’s lead at the interval.
Villarreal came out stronger after the break, with Juan Foyth heading off target and Pépé again firing inches wide.
Spurs had to weather the storm before carving out half-chances of their own, though none were taken.
The closing stages saw Villarreal pressing for an equaliser, but Pépé capped a frustrating night by flashing a free-kick past the post in the final moments.
Thomas Frank’s men held firm to secure three points and a clean sheet in their UCL opener, while Villarreal’s wait for a win on English soil continues ahead of a daunting clash with Juventus next time out.
