Tottenham Hotspur have finally ended their 17-year wait for silverware, lifting the UEFA Europa League trophy with a narrow 1-0 win over Manchester United at San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao — a result that also secures their place in next season’s UEFA Champions League.
In a clash between two Premier League giants whose domestic form has been under heavy scrutiny, the stakes couldn’t have been higher. Not only was a major European trophy up for grabs, but also the final UCL spot for the 2025/26 campaign.
The game itself was a cagey and cautious affair. Both defences appeared vulnerable early on. Tottenham carved out the first real opportunity when Brennan Johnson burst down the right flank and set up Pape Matar Sarr, whose goal-bound effort was denied by Harry Maguire.
Moments later, Maguire turned provider at the opposite end, setting up Amad Diallo to shoot narrowly across goal after Spurs failed to clear their lines from a United corner.
Tottenham found the breakthrough in the 42nd minute, somewhat. Sarr’s whipped cross created chaos in the box, and Johnson’s near-post touch deflected in via Luke Shaw, who had little time to react.
It was a scrappy goal, but a vital one — arriving at the end of a first half lacking in quality but high on tension. The goal marked the 31st time this season that Manchester United have conceded first, more than any other Premier League side in all competitions.
Rúben Amorim’s men pushed for a response after the break, with Rasmus Højlund nodding over from an Amad delivery. Spurs, though, looked shaky at the back, and needed Guglielmo Vicario and Micky van de Ven to dig them out of danger — the latter producing a spectacular overhead clearance to deny Højlund’s header after Vicario flapped at a free-kick.
United continued to press, with Bruno Fernandes heading wide and substitute Alejandro Garnacho testing Vicario with a sharp strike shortly after coming on alongside Joshua Zirkzee.
But despite late pressure, it was Tottenham who held firm. Ange Postecoglou’s side managed the closing moments well to seal a long-awaited triumph — one that more flamboyant Spurs squads, including those under Mauricio Pochettino, failed to achieve.
The victory marked a milestone occasion for Postecoglou, coming in his 100th game as manager, and also represents Tottenham’s 150th win in European competition.
Meanwhile, Manchester United’s unbeaten Europa League campaign ended in heartbreak after 15 matches, and the focus now shifts to a summer of difficult questions and much-needed introspection at Old Trafford.
