LONDON (dpa-AFX) - Borussia Dortmund suffered a significant setback in their bid for direct qualification to the Champions League round of 16. The Bundesliga runners-up lost 0-2 (0-2) away to a struggling Europa League winner, Tottenham Hotspur, despite being a man down. The goals for the Spurs, who were especially impressive in the first half, came from Cristian Romero (14th minute) and Dominic Solanke (37th).

After a red card for Daniel Svensson (24th), Dortmund had to play with ten men for more than an hour in rainy London. Ahead of next week's final group-stage match against Inter Milan, it now appears highly likely that BVB will have to take the playoff route to reach the last 16.

Tottenham Takes Early Lead

After two substitute appearances, Serhou Guirassy returned to the starting lineup for coach Niko Kovac's side. Against the injury-hit Spurs, who had recently been booed by their own fans and are plagued by injury woes, BVB had intended to apply early pressure. That plan failed. Following a Tottenham corner, the Westphalians failed to clear the ball. Wilson Odobert fired a sharp cross into the middle, and Romero converted to make it 1-0.

The lead gave the hosts, whose coach Thomas Frank is under heavy criticism, a boost. There was no sign that the Londoners had gone five competitive matches without a win and were only in 14th place in the English Premier League. Tottenham pressed forward, and BVB struggled mightily.

Red Card for BVB After VAR Review

Things went from bad to worse. Svensson got a slight touch on the ball but also caught Odobert with a high, studs-up challenge. Swedish referee Glenn Nyberg initially showed a yellow card. After reviewing the video footage, he overturned his decision and sent off his compatriot.

Down to ten men, BVB fought for stability, but the Spurs would not allow it. Once again, the lively Odobert created danger on the right. The 21-year-old nutmegged Dortmund center-back Waldemar Anton, and Solanke finished in the middle to make it 2-0.

Guirassy Subbed Off at Halftime

Dortmund's attack was virtually nonexistent. Guirassy drifted from left to right, trying to find space, but he and his fellow forwards never got into threatening positions. At halftime, Tottenham led the shot count 11-0.

For the second half, Kovac took off Guirassy and Julian Brandt, two attacking players, and brought on defensive men Emre Can and Julian Ryerson. Dortmund improved in the challenges and managed to keep the Spurs further from their own goal.

BVB also appeared more frequently near the opposition penalty area, but the Ruhr club rarely posed a real threat. A Ryerson free kick sailed about a meter wide of the Tottenham goal. Substitute Fábio Silva failed to connect cleanly in a good position. Nico Schlotterbeck saw his header saved by Spurs keeper Guglielmo Vicario. At the other end, Kobel prevented a third Tottenham goal on several occasions./the/DP/he