Cristian Romero Shines as Tottenham Edges Past Eintracht Frankfurt to Reach Europa League Semi-Finals
Cristian Romero delivered a commanding performance reminiscent of his very best as Tottenham Hotspur secured a hard-fought spot in the UEFA Europa League semi-finals, edging out Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1 on aggregate. The Argentine defender was instrumental in keeping the German outfit at bay during a tense second leg at Deutsche Bank Park.
Following a 1-1 stalemate in the first leg at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Spurs knew they had to secure a victory on German soil to progress. The opening stages of the match were understandably tight, with both sides aware of the stakes and unwilling to take early risks. The first 40 minutes passed with few clear-cut chances, reflecting the cautious approach adopted by both teams.
However, the breakthrough arrived just before half-time thanks to a moment of incisive attacking play. Midfielder James Maddison made a clever run in behind the Frankfurt backline, latching onto a well-timed ball. As he attempted to control it, he was clattered by Frankfurt goalkeeper Kaua Santos in a reckless challenge that initially went unpunished. Play was momentarily stopped for Maddison to receive treatment, but a VAR review soon followed. After checking the pitchside monitor, the referee overturned his initial decision and pointed to the spot.
Stepping up with confidence was striker Dominic Solanke, who had not found the back of the net since returning from injury in early March. Despite the pressure of the occasion, Solanke showed admirable composure, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way and calmly slotting the penalty straight down the middle to give Spurs the crucial lead.
From that moment on, it was a backs-to-the-wall effort from Tottenham. Frankfurt pushed forward relentlessly in search of an equaliser that would force extra time, but Ange Postecoglou’s men stood firm. The defensive line, marshalled superbly by Romero and supported by standout contributions from Destiny Udogie and Micky van de Ven, remained resolute and focused under intense pressure.
Speaking after the match, Postecoglou couldn’t hide his pride in the team’s performance and resilience.
“Yeah, I’m delighted with so many aspects of the performance—just super proud of the lads,” he said during the post-match press conference. “Coming away to face a very strong team in the quarter-finals, we knew the challenge would be immense. It required discipline, heart, and a bit of quality in the final third. The boys delivered all of that.”
“To a man, they were outstanding. Every single player played their part. It was a huge game and they stepped up. We deserved to go through over the two legs. If anything, we should have put the tie to bed in the first leg, but the effort tonight earned us that semi-final spot.”
While several players earned plaudits for their contributions, Romero was widely hailed as one of the standout performers. After a below-par showing against Wolves at Molineux earlier this month, the 26-year-old centre-back responded in the best possible fashion. He dominated in aerial duels, timed his tackles to perfection, and brought composure to Spurs’ defensive structure.
Recent transfer rumours have linked Romero with a potential summer move, with La Liga giants Atletico Madrid reportedly expressing interest. However, his passionate display and post-match message seemed to reaffirm his commitment to the North London club. Sharing a series of images from the victory on Instagram, Romero wrote:
“Semifinalllllll. Just like today as a family. @spursofficial. And let them tell it however they want. Let’s go.”
His post sparked a wave of support and celebration in the comments section, with teammates such as James Maddison, Pedro Porro, Micky van de Ven, and even former Spurs right-back Emerson Royal expressing their admiration. The unity and camaraderie in the squad were clear to see, reflecting the strong bond Postecoglou has fostered within the dressing room.
With their place in the semi-finals now secured, Spurs will look to continue their European journey and keep their hopes of silverware alive. And if Romero maintains this level of form, he’ll be central to any success that comes their way.
Romero shows true Tottenham colours with honest message to Spurs fans after Frankfurt win
