Dominic Solanke’s first-half penalty was enough to make it a glory, glory night in the pouring Frankfurt rain as we battled to a sensational Europa League quarter-final victory on Thursday evening.

The forward was the calmest person in Deutsche Bank Park as he coolly slotted home from the spot just before half-time to put us in front on the night and in the tie after last week’s 1-1 draw in N17 and, with a lead to protect, we produced a superb defensive display in the second period to keep out everything Eintracht Frankfurt could throw at us.

The hosts – third in the Bundesliga – missed some big chances while Guglielmo Vicario made a huge save to deny Fares Chaibi late on, but this wasn’t about individuals, this was a fantastic all-round performance from every player on the pitch to ensure our Euro hopes are alive and kicking.

There was an incredible raucous atmosphere as the game got underway and the home side were on the front foot quickly, three minutes gone when Jean-Matteo Bahoya hit a weak shot at Vicario, who then saved comfortably from Mario Gotze. We conceded a disappointing chance on 16 minutes, a goal-kick from Kaua Santos flying straight into the space behind our high line and Hugo Ekitike was onto the ball, racing through on goal only for Micky van de Ven to turn on the afterburners and get back to deny him with a sliding tackle.

Our first good opportunity came soon after when Brennan Johnson won back possession and burst down the left flank, cutting a cross back which fell nicely for Mathys Tel but he fluffed his shot completely and it bobbled well wide. It was a fairly even game, both sides having good spells of possession and creating chances. Two came in quick succession, the hosts first through Chaibi with a glancing header which Vicario gathered at his near post, while we went straight up the other end, Tel finding space 20 yards from goal and hitting a fierce right-foot curler which Santos pushed away for a corner.

The only goal came following a moment of controversy in the 39th minute when Cristian Romero clipped a lovely pass over the top which James Maddison watched all the way onto his head, flicking goalwards only for Santos to come charging out of his goal and crash into the midfielder. No decision was made immediately by referee Davide Massa as both players received treatment, but the Italian official was eventually asked to check the incident on the pitchside monitor by VAR and subsequently awarded the penalty. Solanke stepped up, cool as you like, and clipped his spot-kick straight down the middle. Maddison had to come off shortly after, struggling following the collision with Santos, with Dejan Kulusevski making his return from injury and we saw out the remainder of the half to go in with a vital lead at the interval.

Needing a goal to stay in the tie, Frankfurt came out strong at the start of the second half, going close through a Chaibi free-kick from 25 yards that flew inches wide of the post. However, we settled back into the game and had two good chances to double our lead on the hour mark, the first as Kulusevski had a shot deflected after good work from Solanke and Johnson and, from the corner, Romero’s header drifted just past the upright. Tel then curled over a few minutes later after another corner was cleared to him, while Rodrigo Bentancur sent his header over the bar as we started to get on top.

It was so finely balanced though and back came Frankfurt with three big chances themselves. Vicario made a superb save with his feet to deny Chaibi from close range first of all and, as they recycled the ball again, a deep cross found Kristensen and he sent a header bouncing just past the far post before finding himself unmarked moments later from a another cross and again, he missed the target when he should have done better.

The final stages were so tense, so dramatic and so hard to watch as the Germans threw everything at us and we really had to dig in. But dig in we did, defending superbly, weathering the storm and seeing out almost eight minutes of stoppage time before the final whistle went to spark glorious scenes of celebrations from players, staff and fans alike! Get in!

Goal: Spurs – Solanke 43 (pen).

Yellow cards: Frankfurt – Kaua Santos, Kristensen, Theate; Spurs – Johnson, Bentancur, Romero.

Referee: Davide Massa (Italy).

Venue: Deutsche Bank Park, Frankfurt.

Weather: Heavy rain, gentle breeze, 11 degrees.