Randal Kolo Muani hardly seemed like a Tottenham savior as he found himself stranded on the M25’s hard shoulder, examining the damage to his Ferrari Purosangue.

This scenario seemed to mirror his season — and Tottenham’s as well. On the way to the airport, a front tire blew out, causing him to miss the team flight to Frankfurt. Wilson Odobert, who happened to be passing by, stopped to assist his teammate in distress.

Thankfully, no one was injured. Despite the car missing a wheel and the airbags deploying, Kolo Muani emerged unharmed. Given Tottenham’s dire need for players, it was fortunate they didn’t decide to manage without him.

The team arranged for him to fly to Frankfurt, and manager Thomas Frank unexpectedly included him in the starting lineup. Kolo Muani delivered an outstanding performance, scoring the crucial goal that propelled Tottenham into the Champions League’s last 16.

His goal came early in the second half, neatly finished from close range after Cristian Romero nodded down a deep cross from Xavi Simons.

Randal Kolo Muani was on target as Tottenham earned a place in the Champions League last-16 with a 2-0 victory over Frankfurt

The French forward scored from close range following a free kick into the Frankfurt box

Tottenham’s progression to the last-16 will be a major boost for under pressure boss Thomas Frank

Kolo Muani dropped to his knees, raised his eyes and pointed to the heavens in prayer after his celebration with his teammates.

Who could blame him? It has been quite a day or two for the France international, and it was about to end with Spurs for all their problems this season coasting through to last 16 of the Champions League with 17 points from eight games.

Dominic Solanke, who scored the only goal when Spurs won here in the Deutsche Bank Park in April to send Ange Postecoglou’s team into the last four of the Europa League, came on to score a second, played through by a mistimed header by Eintracht Frankfurt substitute Mahmoud Dahoud.

But this night belonged to Kolo Muani. Perhaps Frank was operating on the theory that he tends to excel against former clubs. His only other goals in a Spurs shirt were two against parent club PSG in November, their only defeat in this league phase.

Here though, he was bright from the outset, in the mood, spinning into the channels and threatening behind the three centre halves.

Kolo Muani scored 26 goals in his one season with Eintracht before going on strike to force through a move to PSG, who paid nearly £70million to sign him in 2023.

The home crowd had neither forgotten nor forgiven. His name was greeted with a tirade of boos and whistles when the teams were announced and again when he collected the ball in the second minute and set off on a run and low cross which spilled to Xavi Simons who found the net.

Simons celebrated what he thought was a perfect start only to find the goal ruled out for a foul by Destiny Udogie, earlier in the move. Spurs complained but took encouragement from the fragility of their hosts in defence.

Dominic Solanke added a second for Tottenham to ease nerves in the closing stages

Solanke punished Frankfurt as the Bundesliga side had pushed for an equalising goal

Eintracht had no chance to progress in the competition. Their fate had been sealed with a defeat at Qarabag last week, the latest twist in a poor season for them. And they came into this game having conceded three in each of their previous five.

Joao Palhinha forced a save from Kaua Santos with a header from a Simons corner headed back across goal by Cristian Romero. Palhinha was deployed in an unfamiliar position on the right of a back three as Frank stuck with his 3-4-2-1 formation for a third successive game.

Kolo Muani caused more problems with a run down the left channel and whipped over a splendid cross, which seemed destined for Udogie but, inexplicably, he missed the header completely. The ball struck a surprised Wilson Odobert in the chest and was scrambled to safety by Eintracht.

Spurs controlled the game and yet could not find the goal. Odobert fizzed a shot against a post from just outside the penalty area and Simons was unable to capitalise on a mistake by goalkeeper Santos, who recovered to save with his feet.

Then came a reminder from Eintracht before the interval when Hugo Larsson burst between Romero and Palhinha and clipped the bar. It was a scare to spark concerns that Spurs had not scored when they were on top.

But Frank’s team returned for the second half and completed the job in mature fashion. Kolo Muani’s goal steadied them, kept them on track and Solanke punished the Germans as they took risks in search of an equaliser.

Eintracht fans were still jeering Kolo Muani when he was substituted, late in the game. Music to his ears no doubt. Frank and Spurs do not return to this competition until March. They can focus first on four very tough Premier League fixtures, starting against Manchester City on Sunday.