Brennan Johnson’s scrappy first-half goal secured a 1-0 victory for Tottenham Hotspur over Manchester United in the Europa League final on Wednesday, ending Spurs’ 17-year wait for a trophy and delivering their first European title since 1984.
In a season where both clubs struggled in the Premier League—Tottenham sitting 17th and United 16th—Spurs found redemption on the European stage. The victory not only brought silverware to North London but also clinched a place in next season’s Champions League, a remarkable turnaround after a campaign marred by 21 league defeats.
The decisive moment came in the 42nd minute when Pape Sarr whipped in a cross and chaos ensued in the United box. Brennan Johnson and Luke Shaw both went for the ball, which deflected past a stationary Andre Onana into the net. The finish was emblematic of a game lacking fluidity but filled with tension.
Manchester United came close to equalising on several occasions. Rasmus Højlund saw his header cleared dramatically off the line by Micky van de Ven, while Shaw’s late header was saved by Guglielmo Vicario, who also produced a stunning stop to deny Alejandro Garnacho earlier.
“Ever since I came here, it’s been ‘Tottenham are a good team but can never get it done’. We got it done,” an emotional Johnson told TNT Sports. “We had to get the first one in a while today. I’m so happy.”
The win vindicates manager Ange Postecoglou, who had promised silverware in his second season—a vow that now rings true. Despite a dismal domestic campaign, the 59-year-old Greek-Australian coach has delivered Spurs’ first European success in 41 years.
“I’m still kind of taking it all in,” Postecoglou said. “Until you take that monkey off your back, you never understand what it feels like.”
For Manchester United, the defeat caps a turbulent season and threatens their participation in European competition altogether. Coach Ruben Amorim, already under pressure, now faces a daunting rebuild without the lure of European football.
The final in Bilbao was a gritty, tense affair between two fallen giants, but Tottenham’s win extended their unbeaten run against United to seven games—completing a historic clean sweep of four wins from four meetings this season.
As Son Heung-min lifted the trophy under a shower of confetti, surrounded by jubilant teammates, Tottenham’s long-suffering fans finally had their night of European glory. After decades of near-misses, Spurs have a trophy—and perhaps, a new chapter—at last.
