Tottenham Hotspur stunned Manchester United with a gritty 1-0 victory in the Europa League final on Wednesday, ending a 17-year wait for silverware and securing a coveted spot in next season’s Champions League. The decisive goal came from Welsh winger Brennan Johnson in a tense, scrappy contest held at San Mamés Stadium.
This triumph marks Tottenham’s first European trophy since 1984, breaking a long-standing drought and offering relief to manager Ange Postecoglou, whose position had been under intense scrutiny following Spurs’ poor domestic form. Despite finishing in the lower reaches of the Premier League, Tottenham’s Europa League success guarantees them continental football next season, while Manchester United face the stark reality of missing out on Europe entirely for the first time since the 2014-15 season—a severe blow to the club’s finances and prestige.
On the eve of the final, Postecoglou fired back at critics, insisting he was “not a clown.” He ultimately had the last laugh as his team delivered under pressure, securing a trophy in his second season in charge, just as he promised.
“This is what it’s all about,” Johnson told TNT Sports after the match. “This club hasn’t won a trophy for 17 years, honestly, this is what it means, it means so much. Ever since I came here, it’s been (people saying) ‘Tottenham are a good team, but they never get it done’ — we got it done!”
Thousands of fans travelled to Bilbao, some enduring difficult journeys and high costs, to witness a final that lacked the quality one might expect but was intense and high-stakes nonetheless. The match featured two Premier League sides languishing near the relegation zone, reflecting their difficult seasons.
The game was marked by numerous turnovers and defensive mistakes. Tottenham’s breakthrough came just before half-time through a chaotic goal. Midfielder Pape Sarr, who had barely made an impact until then, sent in a cross that deflected off Manchester United defender Luke Shaw’s shoulder and bounced off Johnson’s boot before crossing the line past goalkeeper André Onana.
In the second half, Tottenham retreated to defend their narrow lead and sought opportunities on the counter-attack. Manchester United pressed for an equaliser but were repeatedly frustrated. A near goal for United was denied by a remarkable acrobatic clearance from Spurs defender Micky van de Ven.
Manchester United’s attempts to change the game with substitutes Alejandro Garnacho and Joshua Zirkzee proved fruitless, culminating in their fourth defeat to Tottenham this season. Ruben Amorim’s team will return home with no silverware and no European football next season, a situation that underscored their disappointing campaign.
Amorim acknowledged that while winning the Europa League might have alleviated some pressure, it would not resolve the deep-rooted issues facing Manchester United. Tottenham, meanwhile, will build on their historic win as they prepare to compete on Europe’s biggest stage.
Europa League Winners’ List
- 2025: Tottenham Hotspur (ENG)
- 2024: Atalanta (ITA)
- 2023: Sevilla (ESP)
- 2022: Eintracht Frankfurt (GER)
- 2021: Villarreal (ESP)
- 2020: Sevilla (ESP)
- 2019: Chelsea (ENG)
- 2018: Atletico Madrid (ESP)
- 2017: Manchester United (ENG)
- 2016: Sevilla (ESP)
Sevilla holds the record for the most Europa League titles with seven, followed by Inter Milan, Juventus, Liverpool, Atletico Madrid, and Tottenham with three each.
