Tottenham Hotspur ended a 17-year wait for silverware with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Manchester United in the Europa League final on Wednesday night, thanks to a scrambled first-half goal from Brennan Johnson. The victory in Bilbao secures Spurs a place in next season’s Champions League while condemning United to a season without European football for the first time since 2014–15 — a major financial and sporting blow.
The result marks Tottenham’s first European trophy since 1984 and offers a rare high point in an otherwise dismal season. Despite the triumph, uncertainty looms over manager Ange Postecoglou’s future, with Spurs sitting below Manchester United in the Premier League standings after a chaotic domestic campaign.
The Australian coach, under intense pressure ahead of the final, defiantly told reporters, “I’m not a clown,” and on the night, he had the last laugh. True to his reputation for delivering silverware in his second season at clubs, Postecoglou added another trophy to his CV at the San Mamés Stadium.
Fans from both clubs flooded Athletic Bilbao’s home ground, some sleeping in cars to avoid steep accommodation prices. But they were treated to a tense final lacking in technical quality, as two out-of-form sides — languishing in 16th and 17th in the Premier League — struggled to produce fluid football.
The match was characterized by a high tempo but marred by poor ball control, numerous turnovers, and frantic defending. Attacks frequently broke down under pressure, while hopeful long balls and clumsy fouls defined the contest.
Harry Maguire produced an early block to deny Pape Sarr after Johnson had surged down the right flank, beating Luke Shaw. On the other end, Manchester United’s Amad Diallo, one of the few players showing confidence, threatened with a shot across goal and a dazzling dribble past Destiny Udogie.
The deadlock was broken in the 42nd minute with a goal that epitomized the scrappy nature of the match. Sarr, who had barely influenced the game until that point, delivered a cross to the near post. Johnson’s initial flick ricocheted off Shaw’s shoulder, brushed Johnson again, and agonizingly rolled over the line as United goalkeeper Andre Onana failed to keep it out.
Spurs Hold Firm
In the second half, Spurs dropped deep, defending their narrow lead and seeking counter-attacking chances. They came close to doubling their advantage when Yves Bissouma found Dominic Solanke in space, but the striker couldn’t control the ball.
United nearly leveled the score when goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario misjudged a deep set piece, allowing the ball to fall to Rasmus Hojlund. However, Micky van de Ven produced a spectacular acrobatic clearance to preserve the lead.
Tottenham brought on captain Son Heung-min to replace the ineffective Richarlison, while United introduced Alejandro Garnacho and Joshua Zirkzee in a bid to spark a comeback. It was to no avail.
Shaw had a late opportunity to make amends for his role in the goal but saw his header saved by Vicario.
United supporters, who had chanted the name of Portuguese coach Ruben Amorim during the match, were left disappointed again. The club now faces a summer of soul-searching after enduring their worst Premier League campaign in half a century.
Amorim himself had warned ahead of the final that winning the trophy wouldn’t fix United’s deeper issues — and in the end, they didn’t even get the consolation of a cup.
Spurs, meanwhile, lifted their first major trophy since the League Cup in 2008, a moment that may yet define Postecoglou’s tenure, despite the storm clouds still gathering over North London.
