LONDON - Tottenham Hotspur celebrated their return to the Champions League by grinding out a 1-0 home victory over Spanish club Villarreal courtesy of an early own goal by visiting keeper Luiz Junior on Tuesday.
The London club's first game in the competition since March 2023 was only four minutes old when Villarreal's Brazilian keeper fumbled a cross by Lucas Bergvall across his own line.
It was never comfortable for the hosts, however, with former Arsenal forward Nicolas Pepe having several chances including a late free kick that flashed just wide of the post.
But Tottenham's defense, which has conceded only one goal this season in four Premier League games, was rock solid again as Thomas Frank's side to began their group campaign with an important three points.
Frank had spoken of his excitement at finally dipping his toe in Europe's elite club competition after a coaching career that began in 2008 with Denmark's Under-16s.
The 51-year-old former Brentford manager's only previous experience of European club football was a couple of failed attempts to reach the Europa League group phase with Brondby.
Tottenham's unlikely Europa League triumph last season and the sacking of Ange Postecoglou gave Frank the chance to test his tactical prowess against Europe's finest coaches.
But he could have hardly expected his debut in the competition to be decided by a goal that owed more to a Sunday morning game.
Advancing down the right, Bergvall's low cross was trying to locate Richarlison but Junior appeared to have gathered it, only for the ball to squirm off his body and roll over the line.
Tottenham relief after win
Tottenham struggled to capitalize on their early gift, though, never threatening a second goal, and there was a degree of relief around the stadium at the final whistle.
"It was a very good team we played today and we got out of a tight game as winners," Frank said. "That feeling that you fight and run and do a lot of things as a group together, that builds the extra foundation, the extra layers.
"Sometimes you don't reach the high levels but still get away with a win, and that's fantastic."
Villarreal, semifinalists in 2022 when they lost to Liverpool, recovered well from their early setback and posed an increasing threat after the interval.
The small band of Villarreal fans were given further encouragement after the break with Pepe skidding another chance wide and Tottenham's hearts were in their mouths as Micky van de Ven took down Georges Mikautadze on the edge of the penalty area with VAR judging the offence had happened outside.
Pepe then stepped up and curled a left-footer narrowly off target.
Tottenham gave new loan signing Randal Kolo Muani a late cameo off the bench and Villarreal coach Marcelino sent on former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey as a substitute.
Partey, who is due in court in London on Wednesday to face charges of rape and sexual assault, was booed loudly by the home fans every time he touched the ball.
Spurs face Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt away next while Villarreal host Juventus.
