Tottenham vs Borussia Dortmund LIVE!
Tottenham defeated Borussia Dortmund 2-0 in the Champions League to ease the mounting pressure on Thomas Frank. Spurs came into the game needing a victory after enduring a four-game winless run that stretched back to December. That streak left Frank’s position under serious threat, and some Spurs fans made their feelings about the current regime and manager clear by leaving empty seats around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Those supporters would go on to miss a clinical performance from the hosts, who recorded a well-deserved victory thanks to goals from Cristian Romero and Dominic Solanke, while Daniel Svensson was sent off for the visitors for a high foot on Wilson Odobert. Xavi Simons was electric in the No10 position and Wilson Odobert starred off both flanks as Frank
The crucial three points takes the north Londoners up to fifth in the Champions League table, which would be enough for automatic progression into the knockout stages. A win in the final match against Eintracht Frankfurt would secure their place in the last 16.
Tottenham vs Borussia Dortmund latest news
- CLOSE! Romero misses free header
- GOOD SAVE! Kobel denies Simons
- GOAL! Solanke doubles Spurs lead
- RED CARD! Svensson sent off for high foot
- GOAL! Romero slams Spurs ahead
Spurs player ratings
22:13 , Oli GentSam Tabuteau was on hand to rate the Tottenham players this evening...
Fan reaction
22:02 , Oli GentGot to give Frank credit where it's due, nobody expected a performance like that tonight. Spot on all over the park. #THFC #COYS
— Prem Inside (@ThePremInside) January 20, 2026
Fan reaction
22:01 , Oli GentBig Kevin Danso MOTM for me. Xavi and Odobert close behind #THFC #COYS
— Deni (@dededlv) January 20, 2026
Sam Tabuteau reports
21:55 , Oli GentA fantastic result and a fantastic performance from Spurs to alleviate some of the pressure on Thomas Frank and keep them in the hunt for automatic qualification for the knockout phase of the Champions League.
FT: Tottenham 2-0 Dortmund
21:54 , Oli GentThere we have it. A big win for Thomas Frank. Spurs are up to fifth in the Champions League table.
What next?
Sam Tabuteau reports
21:51 , Oli Gent90+3 mins: Porro has to score there as he bears down on goal. I do not know what took him so long to make his mind up. That would have sealed the three points and capped an excellent personal performance.
Tottenham 2-0 Dortmund
21:50 , Oli Gent90+1 mins: Five added minutes.
Sam Tabuteau reports
21:45 , Oli Gent87 mins: Spurs are content to just see this game out. There is no real urgency to their play, but their does not have to be. They are in control and heading towards a massive three points.
Tottenham 2-0 Dortmund
21:44 , Oli Gent84 mins: The delivery is met by Schlotterbeck, whose header is well wide, but Dortmund can come again... but Vicario eventually claims.
Tottenham 2-0 Dortmund
21:43 , Oli Gent82 mins: That’s loose! Romero fails to control a simple backpass from Udogie, and that’s a cheap corner for Dortmund.
Tottenham 2-0 Dortmund
21:37 , Oli Gent78 mins: Good save! What a chance for Spurs to kill the game off as Kolo Muani bears down on goal and Kobel comes out to meet him but is in no-man’s land... but the Swiss does well to react and halt the Spurs striker.
Tottenham 2-0 Dortmund
21:34 , Oli Gent76 mins: Couto is replaced by Max Beier.
Tottenham 2-0 Dortmund
21:33 , Oli Gent74 mins: Close! Porro whips in the corner and Romero meets it with a free header... but it just misses! What a chance!
Tottenham 2-0 Dortmund
21:32 , Oli Gent73 mins: Close! Spurs with their best move of the second half as Udogie and Byfield combine before Simons takes over, nutmegs his man and looks to smash it inside that near post, but Kobel gets down well.
Sam Tabuteau reports
21:31 , Oli Gent72 mins: Solanke comes off. He will be delighted to have got on the scoresheet tonight. He has looked a little rusty since coming back into the side, but that goal will have done him a world of good. He offers such a presence up top for Spurs and one they have sorely lacked.
Tottenham 2-0 Dortmund
21:29 , Oli Gent71 mins: Solanke is replaced by Kolo Muani.
Tottenham 2-0 Dortmund
21:28 , Oli Gent69 mins: It’s been better from Dortmund this half with Ryerson making a difference. He loops a ball into Silva, who can’t control it in the Spurs box.
Tottenham 2-0 Dortmund
21:23 , Oli Gent65 mins: Two changes for Dortmund, with Fabio Silva on for Adeyemi and Carney Chukwuemeka on for Nmecha.
Tottenham 2-0 Dortmund
21:22 , Oli Gent64 mins: Porro has moved into midfield, with Spence shifting to right-back. Byfield is wide right, with Odobert on the left now.
Sam Tabuteau reports
21:22 , Oli Gent63 mins: Here comes the first of the academy boys as Byfield makes his senior debut in place of Lucas Bergvall. A huge moment for the young defender.
Tottenham 2-0 Dortmund
21:21 , Oli Gent62 mins: Jun’ai Byfield is coming on for his senior Spurs debut to replace Lucas Bergvall.
Sam Tabuteau reports
21:18 , Oli Gent60 mins: The second half has not burst into life, but that will suit Spurs, who have several players playing through pain tonight with Frank having just 11 senior outfield players to pick from. Spurs are in control and can start to look towards making some changes.
Tottenham 2-0 Dortmund
21:17 , Oli Gent58 mins: Schlotterbeck is down hurt after jarring his ankle while falling. He went up with for high ball with Solanke, and is in a great deal of pain.
Tottenham 2-0 Dortmund
21:15 , Oli Gent56 mins: Great defending from Schlotterbeck who gets tight to his man to prevent the cross coming in. Spurs are growing back into the game here. Could we see more goals?
Tottenham 2-0 Dortmund
21:12 , Oli Gent53 mins: A slower start to this second half for Spurs, but they have their first foray forward here. It’s lofted up to Solanke, but he can’t bring it under his spell as Bensebaini sweeps up.
Tottenham 2-0 Dortmund
21:08 , Oli Gent50 mins: Free kick, Dortmund. A chance for Ryerson to hit one from range. It’s dipping and well struck, but it’s wide.
Sam Tabuteau reports
21:06 , Oli Gent49 mins: Spurs' players are cheered back onto the pitch. The home fans have responded to their side's performance and are looking forward to what the second half has in store. It makes a real change from the weekend.
Tottenham 2-0 Dortmund
21:06 , Oli Gent48 mins: Two changes for Dortmund at half time as Guirassy and Brandt come off for Ryerson and Can.
Kick off!
21:04 , Oli Gent46 mins: Back underway.
Fan reaction
20:54 , Oli GentWatching Tottenham Hotspur for the first time since that Manchester City game at the start of the season, that 2-0 game. 🙃😅
— Krrish (@KrrishFT) January 20, 2026
Is this how they usually play? 👀🤔#THFC
Fan reaction
20:54 , Oli GentTop, top striker. His presence alone makes #thfc a much better team. https://t.co/4EMPhkQ8mf
— Daily Hotspur (@Daily_Hotspur) January 20, 2026
HT: Tottenham 2-0 Dortmund
20:49 , Oli GentThere’s the interval. A dream first half for Thomas Frank. What will the second period have in store?
Tottenham 2-0 Dortmund
20:47 , Oli Gent45+1 mins: Three added minutes.
Sam Tabuteau reports
20:45 , Oli Gent44 mins: Spurs have been excellent, even before the red card, and thoroughly deserve their two-goal lead. Some will be asking where this performance has been for the last seven months. In truth, though, Spurs seem to save their best displays for the European stage.
Tottenham 2-0 Dortmund
20:44 , Oli Gent42 mins: Spurs have completely dominated this first half. Dortmund have not been able to get anywhere near them, and they are crumbling under the hosts’ pressure as white shirts swarm around every visiting player.
Tottenham 2-0 Dortmund
20:40 , Oli Gent39 mins: Close! Another chance for the hosts as yet another ball comes in down the right, and it falls for Simons who smashes one with his left, but he skies it leaning back!
Sam Tabuteau reports
20:40 , Oli Gent38 mins: There could not be a more popular goalscorer than Dominic Solanke. The England striker just about bundles the ball in, not that he knew much about it, to double Spurs' lead. More excellent work by Odobert as he grabs his second assist of the night.
Goal! Tottenham 2-0 Dortmund
20:38 , Oli Gent37 mins: It’s two, and it’s Dominic Solanke! Spurs carve the visitors apart once more down the right, and the striker ghosts in on the wrong side of the defender and scuffs it - just about - into the corner!
Tottenham 1-0 Dortmund
20:37 , Oli Gent37 mins: Dortmund have not had a sniff since Svensson’s sending off. Spurs are pulling them around the field at ease so far.
Tottenham 1-0 Dortmund
20:34 , Oli Gent33 mins: Kobel takes a chance under pressure from Solanke, who presses the Swiss extremely high... he just about gets away with it.
Tottenham 1-0 Dortmund
20:29 , Oli Gent28 mins: Close! Simons whips in a tantalising delivery to the far post where Porro throws himself at it... but he can’t make contact!
Sam Tabuteau reports
20:28 , Oli Gent27 mins: There was only going to be one decision there. It was high and studs up from Svensson. Dortmund are down to ten and Spurs are now a goal up and a man up. Not a bad opening 25 for Thomas Frank.
Tottenham 1-0 Dortmund
20:26 , Oli Gent26 mins: Red card! Svensson is dismissed for that challenge on Odobert!
Tottenham 1-0 Dortmund
20:25 , Oli Gent25 mins: The referee is going to have a look at this, and the Dortmund wing-back could be in trouble here...
Tottenham 1-0 Dortmund
20:25 , Oli Gent24 mins: Free kick, Spurs. Svensson overruns the ball and lunges in desperately on Odobert with a high foot. A yellow card is brandished, but this is being checked for a dangerous tackle...
Tottenham 1-0 Dortmund
20:22 , Oli Gent22 mins: Almost! Nearly a huge error from Vicario as he makes a mess of a Cruyff turn in his own box from the backpass under pressure from Adeyemi, but he manages to smash the ball clear.
Tottenham 1-0 Dortmund
20:20 , Oli Gent20 mins: The scenario being looked at is a potential handball against Jobe Bellingham... but the check is complete. No penalty.
Tottenham 1-0 Dortmund
20:19 , Oli Gent19 mins: Corner, Spurs. Odobert is a real threat down the right, and he speeds towards the byline, looking for Simons in the box. The Dutchman strikes and it cannons off a yellow shirt for the corner. But VAR are checking for a potential penalty...
Tottenham 1-0 Dortmund
20:17 , Oli Gent17 mins: Nearly! Spurs are in their groove as Simons has it, driving through the heart of the Dortmund defence, but his ball towards Udogie ahead of him is the wrong side and the chance is gone!
Sam Tabuteau reports
20:17 , Oli Gent16 mins: Cristian Romero has stepped up again for Spurs. That is a well worked goal and no less than Spurs deserve. Wilson Odobert does well to regain control of the ball after a miscued effort before drilling the ball across for Romero to finish. A massive goal for Frank, but also for Spurs' hopes of automatic qualification.
Goal! Tottenham 1-0 Dortmund
20:15 , Oli Gent14 mins: It’s there, Spurs are ahead! Cristian Romero has it after Dortmund fail to clear the Pedro Porro corner. The captain delivers, slamming home as the loose ball breaks to him. Brandt gets caught the wrong side as the bouncing ball is drilled across by Odobert, and Romero slots it past Kobel.
Tottenham 0-0 Dortmund
20:13 , Oli Gent13 mins: It’s been a good start from the hosts. They’re looking full of life despite their depleted squad, and Spence is proving dangerous in a more advanced position. He wins a corner off Couto down that left side.
Sam Tabuteau reports
20:09 , Oli Gent9 mins: It has been a bright start from Tottenham, with Porro and Spence picking up good positions. Spurs, though, have made a habit of starting well and failing to seize the advantage.
Tottenham 0-0 Dortmund
20:09 , Oli Gent8 mins: Spurs are looking lively through Porro down the right. He flashes another across the box which is scrambled away, and here’s Danso for the first long throw of the game... but the Bundesliga side deal with it well.
Tottenham 0-0 Dortmund
20:07 , Oli Gent7 mins: Corner, Spurs. A good move from Spurs, racing down the right side through Spence as he gets the cross in towards Simons at the far post, but Anton gets across well to knock behind. The delivery from the set play is well cleared.
Tottenham 0-0 Dortmund
20:06 , Oli Gent5 mins: It is Djed Spence at left wing for the hosts. He starts off the flank ahead of Randal Kolo Muani, who is the more natural forward player.
Sam Tabuteau reports
20:05 , Oli Gent4 mins: Despite the empty seats, those who are in attendance are still willing their side on. Positive encouragement from the home fans as we get underway.
Kick off!
20:01 , Oli Gent1 min: We’re underway.
Five minute warning!
19:56 , Oli GentHere come the players, and it’s time for the anthem... who will win this one?
10 minutes to go!
19:50 , Oli GentHere’s Gareth Bale’s thoughts on the current situation at his old club...
"The players still have to go out and do a job!"
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 20, 2026
Gareth Bale speaks on the confidence within the Tottenham squad 🗣️@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/AyDczlqZzF
Fan reaction
19:45 , Oli Gent“Fortunately, Heung Min Son no longer plays for Tottenham. He always seemed to score two goals in every game against us… no matter which club he was playing for…”
Glücklicherweise spielt Heung Min Son nicht mehr bei Tottenham. Der hat gefühlt immer zwei Tore in jedem Spiel gegen uns geschossen… egal bei welchem Verein er gespielt hat… #TOTBVB
— Henning1011 (@henning1011) January 20, 2026
Sam Tabuteau reports
19:38 , Oli GentLots of empty seats expected at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium tonight. The club reduced the price of tickets for this fixture in November, but rising supporter dissent is set to keep fans away in their thousands. Not a good look ahead of a crunch fixture for Thomas Frank.
Sam Tabuteau's pre-match thoughts
19:37 , Oli Gent🗣️ "Even a victory tonight does not offer any guarantees." @tabuteauS offers his thoughts from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium ahead of a crucial match for Spurs boss Thomas Frank.
— Standard Sport (@standardsport) January 20, 2026
LIVE: https://t.co/2botbs8Rhp #TOTBVB pic.twitter.com/W9NBl9VMP4
First start
19:29 , Oli GentDominic Solanke makes his first start of the season this evening.
Arrived 📍 pic.twitter.com/y1R1cmkSOI
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 20, 2026
First start
19:29 , Oli GentDominic Solanke makes his first start of the season this evening.
Arrived 📍 pic.twitter.com/y1R1cmkSOI
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 20, 2026
As for Dortmund...
19:17 , Oli GentThe visitors are in a 3-5-2 shape this evening. Gregor Kobel, the experienced Swiss, is in net, shielded by a central defensive trio of Waldemar Anton, Nico Schlotterbeck and Ramy Bensebaini going from right to left.
In the engine room, Jobe Bellingham gets the nod to start alongside Felix Nmecha, and the pair of them will be the legs in the middle of the park, adding physicality and dynamism on and off the ball while Julian Brandt has licence to be the creator.
Out wide, Bo Svensson and Yan Couto are the wing-backs, with the latter formerly of Manchester City. The pair love to maraud forwards and support attacks, and you would expect them to in a bid to pin back the Spurs full-backs.
Up top, it’s the big man, small man combination of Serhou Guirassy and Karim Adeyemi, with the big Frenchman the obvious target man, who will look to pin both Cristian Romero and Kevin Danso and allow Adeyemi to burst in behind with his pace.
Fan reaction
19:11 , Oli GentThat team and bench (and, I expect, the number of empty seats) should be a huge wake up call. Regardless of the result (but especially if we lose), the board should be making wholesale changes to make us properly competitive. Atrocious state to be in… #UCL #TOTBVB #THFC #COYS https://t.co/bxvgFo8wPt
— Kev (@KevJStewart) January 20, 2026
Sam Tabuteau reports
19:08 , Oli GentThomas Frank did not have much choice with his starting lineup, yet the inclusion of Djed Spence, seemingly on the wing, is an interesting choice. Dominic Solanke and Destiny Udogie start, while there are seven academy players and two academy graduates on a heavily depleted bench.
Five defenders for Spurs
19:07 , Oli GentThere’s not much that Thomas Frank could have done with his team selection.
There are five defenders in that starting XI, so the big question is whether it will be a back five or a defensive quartet for the hosts this evening.
Could Djed Spence start further forward, or Pedro Porro perhaps down the right, with Wilson Odobert off the left?
Tottenham lineup
19:02 , Oli GentTottenham XI: Vicario; Porro, Danso, Romero, Udogie; Gray, Bergvall; Odobert, Simons, Spence; Solanke
Subs: Kinsky, Austin, Kolo Muani, Scarlett, Olusesi, Thompson, Hardy, Byfield, Williams-Barnett, Akhamrich, Rowswell
Dortmund lineup
18:56 , Oli GentBorussia Dortmund XI: Kobel; Couto, Anton, Schlotterbeck, Bensebaini, Svenssson; Bellingham, Nmecha, Brandt; Guirassy, Adeyemi
Subs: Ostrzinski, Meyer, Beier, Duranville, Chukwuemeka, Silva, Can, Sule, Ryerson, Anselmino, Mane
Frank believes he can wins Spurs fans around
18:53 , Oli GentThomas Frank insists he can still win back Tottenham’s supporters despite mounting pressure on his job, Sam Tabuteau writes.
Frank was subjected to more boos and chants of ‘you are getting sacked in the morning’ as Spurs were beaten in stoppage time at home to West Ham over the weekend.
It was felt that Spurs’ latest defeat could prove terminal for Frank’s future, but the Dane is set to take charge as the north London club host Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
Frank has been under mounting pressure, having won just seven of their 22 Premier League games this season. However, his side have fared better in the Champions League and are just one point outside the automatic qualification places with two league phase games to play.
What Spurs need to qualify
18:48 , Oli GentWhat do Spurs need to qualify for the Champions League knockout stages?
Frank’s side aren’t that far off... but what do they need?
Tottenham predicted lineup
18:35 , Oli GentSam Tabuteau had a go at predicted Thomas Frank’s lineup for this one.
Here’s what he went for...
Tottenham predicted XI: Vicario, Porro, Danso, Romero, Spence; Gray, Bergvall, Xavi; Odobert, Solanke, Kolo Muani
Team news coming up!
18:31 , Oli GentHow will Frank line up in this must-win match?
Match odds
18:30 , Oli GentTottenham to win: 15/8
Borussia Dortmund to win: 7/5
Draw: 13/5
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
Head to head
18:20 , Oli GentTottenham have won their last four matches in a row against Dortmund. The most recent meeting was in the round of 16 during the 2018-19 season when Spurs reached the final.
Tottenham wins: 4
Borussia Dortmund wins: 2
Draws: 0
Standard Sport prediction
18:10 , Oli GentSpurs have struggled at home this season and defeat to West Ham was a new low. However, there is cause for optimism given they’ve won all three home games in the Champions League so far, without conceding.
Of course, Dortmund are a considerable step up in opposition compared to Slavia Prague and Copenhagen.
The Germans are in much better form than Spurs and will surely be relishing the chance to increase the pressure on Frank.
Borussia Dortmund to win, 2-1.
Dortmund team news
18:00 , Oli GentAs for Dortmund, Jobe Bellingham is expected to start in midfield but on-loan Chelsea defender Aaron Anselmino is a doubt having not played since the 2-2 draw against Bodo/Glimt in December.
Tottenham team news
17:50 , Oli GentSpurs have a host of concerns heading into the game against Dortmund, with as many as 15 first-team players unavailable.
Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, Mohammed Kudus, Rodrigo Bentancur and Richarlison all remain long-term absentees, while Joao Palhinha missed out against West Ham with a knock and missed training on Monday.
Ben Davies can be added to the list of absentees as he will undergo surgery after fracturing his left ankle against West Ham. Micky van de Ven is suspended after accumulating three yellow cards in six games during the league phase and Pape Matar Sarr is unlikely to be available for selection.
Furthermore, new signing Conor Gallagher is ineligible along with Yves Bissouma and Radu Dragusin after they were not named in Spurs’ initial Champions League squad.
Dominic Solanke is set to feature, despite only recently returning from injury, as he regains his place in the Champions League squad from Mathys Tel following an emergency change last month.
How to watch
17:40 , Oli GentTV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on TNT Sports. Coverage starts at 7pm GMT on TNT Sports 1 ahead of kick-off at 8pm.
Live stream: TNT Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Discovery+ app and website.
Hello and welcome!
17:30 , Oli Gent... to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Tottenham’s Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund.
This is do or die territory for Thomas Frank, who is teetering on the brink of the sack after five games without a win.
This should be a thriller. Stay tuned for all the updates, with kick off at 8pm GMT.
