Tottenham Hotspur finally put an end to a 17-year trophy drought with a narrow victory over Manchester United in the Europa League final. Brennan Johnson’s scrappy first-half goal proved decisive in Bilbao’s San Mames Stadium, bringing joy to the 15,000 traveling Spurs supporters.
The result marks a significant achievement for head coach Ange Postecoglou, who had promised to deliver success in his second year with the north London club. Despite speculation surrounding his future, the Australian tactician joined the ranks of club legends Bill Nicholson and Keith Burkinshaw by guiding Tottenham to European glory.
Postecoglou, known for his straight-talking style, told the media before the match he would “never be a clown.” He kept his promise in style, securing not just a trophy but also Champions League qualification for next season. The triumph is expected to bring in around £100 million in added revenue.
Though the match lacked quality at times, the victory means Tottenham join clubs like Newcastle and Crystal Palace in turning a difficult campaign into one of success. For United, however, the night offered no such consolation.
United falter on the big stage as season ends in disappointment
Manchester United’s season reached a new low as they failed to recover after going behind. Head coach Ruben Amorim, who is under increasing scrutiny, saw his team struggle to make an impact. His decision to start Mason Mount over Alejandro Garnacho did not pay off, and captain Bruno Fernandes was unusually quiet throughout.
United’s best chance came midway through the second half, when Rasmus Hojlund’s header looked destined for goal after a mistake by Guglielmo Vicario. But Micky van de Ven was on hand to clear the danger with an acrobatic effort. Later, Vicario atoned for his earlier error by denying Luke Shaw with a sharp save.
The only goal of the match came just before the interval, when Pape Matar Sarr delivered a cross that Johnson managed to nudge ahead of Shaw. The ball rebounded awkwardly and caught Andre Onana off guard, with Johnson lunging again to ensure it crossed the line. Tottenham had not registered a shot on target before that moment – and wouldn’t manage another – but it proved to be enough.
Postecoglou marked his 100th match in charge with a memorable win, adding another second-season title to his résumé. He had previously achieved similar feats in Australia, Japan, and Scotland, and now brings another European honour to Tottenham’s history, their first since the 1972 UEFA Cup.
No late drama for United this time
In the final minutes, United pushed for an equaliser, hoping for a dramatic finish reminiscent of their famous 1999 comeback. But this time, there was no fairy-tale ending. Leny Yoro took a speculative shot from distance, ignoring better-placed teammates, and Hojlund failed to keep his header down.
Substitutes Amad Diallo and Joshua Zirkzee provided some spark, with the latter forcing a save from Vicario. In the dying moments, Garnacho sent a low effort into the side netting, summing up United’s evening.
With this loss, Manchester United will miss out on European competition next season – only the second time that has happened since their return to UEFA events in 1990. Their focus will now shift to domestic competitions, starting with the Carabao Cup in August.
