By Miguel Ndiritu
On a dramatic night at San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao, Tottenham Hotspur ended a 17-year wait for silverware by defeating Manchester United 1-0 in the 2025 UEFA Europa League final.
The decisive goal came in the 42nd minute when Brennan Johnson reacted quickest to a corner, bundling the ball home after a deflection off Luke Shaw.
Despite controlling just 27% of possession and registering only three shots on target, Spurs displayed remarkable discipline and resilience. Centre-back Cristian Romero led the defence with a commanding performance, earning the Man of the Match award.
Micky van de Ven made a crucial goal-line clearance, while goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario produced a stunning stoppage-time save to deny Bruno Fernandes.
“This victory breaks the cycle of disappointment and could redefine our future,” said Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou, who has transformed the squad in his debut season. “It’s a proud moment, not just for the team, but for the entire Tottenham family.”
Club captain Son Heung-min, visibly emotional after the match, expressed pride in the team’s long-awaited success. “It’s a moment we’ve all dreamed of. The unity and belief in this team are unmatched. We’ve worked hard for this, and it means everything,” he said, adding with a smile, “Now I can finally call myself a Tottenham legend.”
The win marks Tottenham’s first European title since 1984 and secures their place in next season’s UEFA Champions League. Manchester United, dominant in possession, were left frustrated by Spurs’ tactical discipline.
United manager Rúben Amorim admitted, “We lacked sharpness in the final third and failed to convert our dominance into goals. Credit to Tottenham—they wanted it more.”
With this triumph, Spurs join an elite group of clubs with three UEFA Cup/Europa League titles, cementing their place among Europe’s finest. As celebrations erupt across North London, the club now turns its sights to future glory.
