As confetti fell in Bilbao, Spurs fans celebrated not just a trophy, but the revival of belief.
Image credit: Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur have finally broken their 17-year trophy drought with a narrow but historic 1-0 win over Manchester United in the UEFA Europa League final held at San Mamés Barria in Bilbao.
A scrappy first-half goal by Brennan Johnson proved enough to crown Spurs European champions and deliver head coach Ange Postecoglou the silverware he promised in his second season.
Johnson Makes History in Scrappy Fashion
The decisive moment came in the 42nd minute.
A floated cross from Pape Matar Sarr caused confusion in the United defense.
Brennan Johnson, tussling with Luke Shaw, got the initial touch.
A chaotic deflection followed, and Johnson lunged again to prod the ball past United goalkeeper André Onana.
Debate remains about whether Johnson got the final touch, but there was no doubt about the result—it was Spurs’ night.
Notably, Johnson became the first Welshman to score in a Europa League final since Simon Davies for Fulham in 2010.
A Redemption Arc for Postecoglou
For Ange Postecoglou, this win was more than just a trophy. It was redemption.
Under pressure after a mixed domestic season, the Australian coach joined the likes of Bill Nicholson and Keith Burkinshaw as Spurs managers to lift a European trophy.
Whether the win secures his future at the club remains to be seen, but if he departs, he will do so a hero.
This marks Postecoglou’s latest success story in a globe-spanning career.
He’s now won trophies on four continents, adding this Europa League title to past glories with South Melbourne, Brisbane Roar, Yokohama F. Marinos, and Celtic.
Manchester United’s Season Sinks Further
For Manchester United, this defeat caps a dismal season—one of their worst since the 1973-74 relegation campaign.
Head coach Rúben Amorim now faces intense scrutiny as his decisions came under fire, particularly his choice to start Mason Mount over the more dynamic Alejandro Garnacho.
Despite some late pressure, including a close-range header from Rasmus Højlund and a last-ditch effort by Joshua Zirkzee, United couldn’t find an equalizer.
Vicario, Spurs’ keeper, made a crucial late save, and Micky van de Ven cleared a header off the line, cementing his status as man of the match with a BBC user rating of 7.15.
Amorim, though backed by club ownership, now heads into the final Premier League game against Aston Villa with his credibility under siege.
United’s failure means they will not compete in any European competition next season—a rarity in the modern era.
A Final Reflective of Two Underachievers
The final itself was far from a classic, echoing the lackluster domestic campaigns both teams endured.
Nerves were evident from kickoff. Tottenham managed just one shot on target—the goal—while United huffed and puffed to no avail.
Postecoglou’s side were organized and determined, clinging to their lead with admirable resilience.
It was a gritty, often disjointed affair, but to the 15,000 Spurs fans in attendance—and countless more watching from afar—style didn’t matter.
What mattered was the win, the history, and the end of a painful wait for silverware.
Looking Ahead
Tottenham’s victory comes with major rewards: a Europa League title, renewed prestige, and a lucrative Champions League return—estimated to bring in up to £100 million in additional revenue.
For Manchester United, the outlook is bleak.
With only the Carabao Cup to look forward to in August and no European stage next season, a major rebuild seems inevitable.
Even the presence of club legends like Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney in the stands couldn’t inspire a comeback reminiscent of the iconic 1999 treble win.
The times have changed. Tottenham are back among the European elite—at least for now.
United, meanwhile, must reckon with the reality of their decline.
A Night to Remember for Spurs. A Wake-Up Call for United.
What started as a tense, tactical duel turned into a historic breakthrough for Tottenham Hotspur.
As confetti fell in Bilbao, Spurs fans celebrated not just a trophy, but the revival of belief.
For Manchester United, the soul-searching begins.
