Tottenham Hotspur clinched their first major trophy since 2008 by defeating Manchester United 1-0 in the UEFA Europa League final held at San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao on May 21, 2025. The victory also marks Spurs’ first European title since 1984 .
The match’s only goal came in the 42nd minute when Brennan Johnson capitalized on a defensive lapse by Manchester United. Johnson’s close-range finish not only secured the win but also capped off a remarkable personal season, making him Tottenham’s top scorer with 18 goals across all competitions .
Under manager Ange Postecoglou, known for his attacking philosophy, Spurs adopted a more defensive strategy in the final. Despite holding only 27.7% possession and completing 115 passes—the lowest in a major European final since 2010—the team displayed resilience. Key defensive moments included a goal-line clearance by Micky van de Ven and a crucial stoppage-time save by goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario .
This triumph not only ends a 17-year wait for silverware but also secures Tottenham a spot in next season’s UEFA Champions League and the upcoming UEFA Super Cup. The victory serves as vindication for Postecoglou, who had promised to deliver a trophy in his second season at the helm .
For Manchester United, the loss caps off a disappointing season, finishing 16th in the Premier League and missing out on European competition for the first time since 2014-15. Manager Ruben Amorim faces uncertainty regarding his future at the club .
