Tottenham Hotspur ended their 17-year trophy drought in spectacular fashion with a 1-0 victory over Manchester United in the UEFA Europa League final on Wednesday, May 21, 2025.
The final, held at San Mamés Barria in Bilbao, saw nearly 50,000 fans witness a determined Spurs side clinch the European silverware under manager Ange Postecoglou.
The decisive moment came in the 42nd minute when Brennan Johnson scored the only goal of the match, capitalizing on a period of pressure from Tottenham.
The first half was closely contested, but Johnson’s strike gave Spurs a lead they managed to defend with resilience for the remainder of the game. Despite Manchester United’s best efforts, they were unable to find an equaliser.
Manchester United had late chances, including a bicycle kick from Casemiro that hit the side netting and a close-range header from Luke Shaw that was superbly saved by goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario. The Red Devils also appealed for a penalty in the final minutes, but the referee waved it away, keeping Tottenham’s slim lead intact.
Ange Postecoglou’s side showed impressive game management in the closing stages, frustrating United’s attempts to break them down. The win not only marks Tottenham’s first major trophy since their League Cup triumph in 2008 but also secures their place in next season’s UEFA Champions League, a remarkable achievement considering their current 17th-place position in the Premier League.
Speaking earlier in the season, Postecoglou had boldly predicted that he “always wins things in his second year,” and Wednesday’s result has proven his words true. His impact on the team has been significant, revitalizing a club that had long been starved of success on the big stage.
The final whistle sparked jubilant celebrations among the Tottenham squad and their fans, as the club lifted a major European trophy for the first time in decades. For Manchester United, the result marks another bitter disappointment in a season of unfulfilled promise, as they failed to capitalize on late opportunities to force extra time.
