Ex-AFC Bournemouth striker Dominic Solanke scored his first Champions League goal on his first start since May 2025, as Tottenham Hotspur beat Borussia Dortmund 2-0 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to move up to 4th in the league phase of the UEFA Champions League last night.
Solanke, who scored 77 goals in 216 appearances for the Cherries, has missed five months of this season through an ankle injury, with his last goal for Spurs before last night coming in the 4-1 defeat to Brighton on the final day of the 2024/25 Premier League season, eight months ago, when he had last started a game.
Solanke’s most recent Champions League appearance came seven years ago, coming on as a substitute in Liverpool’s 3-0 win over Manchester City in 2018.
The 28-year-old netted 16 goals in all competitions for Spurs last season after his £65m move from AFC Bournemouth, and his return came at a crucial time for manager Thomas Frank, who is under increasing pressure, with his side winless in five prior to last night’s victory and sat 14th in the Premier League.
Speaking in his post-match interview with Tottenham Hotspur, Solanke said: “Incredible. Even just starting the game was immense, I think that was my first start since last season. To have that feeling again was incredible.
“You kind of forget when you’re out for so long that feeling [of scoring a goal], you can’t wait to get back out there and dream about it, but then when you’re actually there it all hits you again.” [quotes via TottenhamHotspur.com]
Cristian Romero’s early goal had given Spurs a deserved lead after a dominant opening 15 minutes, before Daniel Svensson was sent off for Borussia Dortmund after a VAR review of a high tackle on Wilson Odobert.
The ex-cherry’s special moment then came on the 37th minute, as Wilson Odobert’s cut back was scrambled home by Solanke into an empty net to double Spurs’ lead.
The striker was substituted on the 70th minute to a standing ovation from the home crowd, as Thomas Frank’s side made it four wins from four at home in Europe this season.
With one game remaining in the league phase of the UEFA Champions League, Spurs will now travel to Frankfurt, who they beat in last season’s UEFA Europa League quarter final, knowing a win would secure a top eight finish, and automatic progression into the round of 16.
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