Brennan Johnson’s scruffy first-half goal sealed a hard-fought 1-0 win for Tottenham Hotspur over Manchester United in the Europa League final on Wednesday, ending the club’s 17-year wait for silverware and securing a coveted Champions League spot for next season.
It marks Spurs’ first European trophy since 1984 and brings a long-overdue moment of glory to a side often labelled as underachievers. “This is what it means,” an emotional Johnson told TNT Sports. “Ever since I came here, it’s been ‘Tottenham are a good team, but they never get it done’ — we got it done!”
The victory in Bilbao came despite a chaotic domestic season that has left manager Ange Postecoglou’s future uncertain. Spurs and United currently sit 16th and 17th in the Premier League table, respectively. The Australian, who defiantly told reporters before the final that he was “not a clown,” now has a trophy to back up his claim that he always delivers silverware in his second season at a club.
Fans filled San Mames stadium, many enduring long, uncomfortable journeys to avoid exorbitant travel costs, only to witness a final high in tension but low in technical quality. Both sides struggled for fluidity, with frequent turnovers, disjointed attacking moves, and nervy defending dominating proceedings.
After a cagey opening period, Johnson broke the deadlock in the 42nd minute in fittingly scrappy fashion. Pape Sarr, who had completed just one pass before that point, sent in a low cross that Johnson deflected via Luke Shaw’s shoulder and his own boot, trickling over the line past a helpless Andre Onana.
Tottenham shifted into defensive mode in the second half, withstanding increasing pressure from United while threatening on the counter. Yves Bissouma nearly teed up a second goal for Dominic Solanke, but the striker failed to control the ball.
United’s best chance came when a high ball into the box left Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario stranded. Rasmus Hojlund headed towards an open goal, only for Micky van de Ven to produce a sensational acrobatic clearance to preserve the lead.
Late substitutions, including Spurs’ captain Son Heung-min and United’s Alejandro Garnacho and Joshua Zirkzee, failed to swing the momentum. Shaw had a final opportunity to make amends, but his header was smartly saved by Vicario.
For United, the defeat compounds a dismal season. Not only did they finish near the bottom of the Premier League, but their failure to lift the Europa League trophy means they will miss out on European competition entirely next season — the first time that’s happened since 2014-15.
Manager Ruben Amorim, still backed by United fans despite the turmoil, warned that a trophy alone would not fix the club’s underlying issues. With the loss in Bilbao, the problems remain — and deepen.
What you should know
Tottenham’s Europa League final victory over Manchester United ends a 17-year trophy drought and secures Champions League football. While the win boosts manager Postecoglou’s credentials, questions remain after a poor domestic season.
For United, the defeat marks a disastrous campaign, leaving them without European football for the first time in a decade.
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