Spurs End Drought with Scrappy Final Win
News Desk
Islamabad: Brennan Johnson’s scrappy first-half goal proved decisive as Tottenham Hotspur edged Manchester United 1-0 in a gritty Europa League final on Wednesday, ending a 17-year wait for silverware and clinching a spot in next season’s Champions League.
In a season where both clubs endured dramatic declines in the Premier League, Spurs salvaged pride with their first trophy since the 2008 League Cup and first European success since the 1984 UEFA Cup.
The breakthrough came in the 42nd minute at San Mamés Stadium when a Pape Sarr cross caused chaos in the United box. Johnson and Luke Shaw collided in a scramble, with the ball deflecting in—just past a frozen Andre Onana. The messy goal mirrored the overall quality of the match, which was dominated by tension and errors.
Despite being 16th and 17th in the Premier League, respectively, United and Spurs turned in spirited performances in Europe. Rasmus Hojlund nearly leveled with a header midway through the second half, only for Micky van de Ven to clear dramatically off the line. In the dying moments, Shaw’s header was denied by a stunning save from Guglielmo Vicario, who also stopped a powerful effort from Alejandro Garnacho earlier in the game.
“We always hear that Tottenham are a good team who can’t win anything,” said Johnson, who was emotional after the match. “But we did it. It means everything—for us, and especially for the fans.”
The victory also marks a significant personal milestone for Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou. Frequently under pressure throughout the season, the 59-year-old had consistently stated that he wins trophies in his second year at any club—and delivered on that promise.
“I’m still processing it all,” Postecoglou said. “I know what this means for the club. There was a real nervousness—people here have seen things go wrong before. But once you lift that burden, it changes everything.”
For Tottenham, the win is more than just a trophy—it offers hope after a Premier League campaign that included 21 losses. Champions League qualification provides a vital financial and morale boost, and may have cemented Postecoglou’s future at the club.
In stark contrast, the defeat leaves Manchester United and manager Ruben Amorim facing a grim offseason. Likely to miss out on European competition altogether, United now face a major rebuild amid growing frustration.
The final capped a miserable season-long dominance by Spurs over United, who have now lost all four meetings with their London rivals this season—something never before seen in the clubs’ shared history.
As captain Son Heung-min lifted his first trophy with Spurs amid a shower of confetti in the warm Bilbao night, Tottenham fans celebrated an overdue moment of triumph. After 41 years without European silverware and years of near-misses, the North London club finally had its night of redemption.
