Ange Postecoglou and Tottenham suffer Champions League descent into Hell due to Borussia Dortmund win

England have suffered a major blow after MISSING OUT on a fifth Champions League spot for next season.

Borussia Dortmund's semi-final first-leg win over French giants PSG on Wednesday night has secured the second spot for Germany and the Bundesliga. One club from each of the two countries who collectively perform best in European club competition this season are granted additional places in the new 36-team league format for the 2024-25 season with Italy wrapping up the first 'European Performance Spot' last month.

It now means regardless of Aston Villa's Europa Conference League success, England cannot secure an extra place which comes as a major blow to former Celtic boss and current Tottenham gaffer Ange Postecoglou. His side are currently fifth in the Premier League standings – seven points adrift of Unai Emery's men – having played two games less with one of those against Chelsea on Thursday night and the fixtures dwindling for the North London outfit to catch up.

For Villa, they must now hold on to fourth spot in order to reach Europe's top table next term. Dortmund – who secured Germany's extra place – are the team who will currently benefit as they are also sitting fifth in the Bundesliga. If they go on to lift the Champions League then the bonus spot will go to Eintracht Frankfurt – currently sitting sixth.

A Dortmund triumph would also come as a major blow to Scottish football as we previously told how the German giants are on course to scupper the loophole that would potentially send Rangers into the Champions League group stage in 2025/26 – despite the free-falling coefficient.