UEL: Tottenham Wins Europa League: Ends 17-Year Trophy Drought

Tottenham Hotspur secures Europa League title with 1-0 win over Manchester United, ending 17-year trophy drought and earning Champions League spot.

Tottenham Hotspur has finally ended their 17-year trophy drought by winning the UEFA Europa League title. They secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Manchester United in a match that lacked spark at the San Mames Stadium in Bilbao. This win not only brought Tottenham much-needed silverware but also earned them a spot in the UEFA Champions League.

The match between Tottenham and Manchester United was a must-win for both teams, as it offered a lifeline to their European ambitions despite their disappointing domestic seasons. In the end, Spurs' determination paid off, and they emerged victorious, claiming the Europa League title and a coveted spot in the Champions League. This triumph marks a significant milestone for Tottenham and their fans.

The Europa League final had unusually high stakes, and it showed in the nervous start from both teams. Neither defense looked particularly solid in the early exchanges, and the tension was palpable. Tottenham created the first clear chance when Brennan Johnson made a dynamic run down the right flank and delivered a precise pass to Pape Matar Sarr, whose shot was unfortunately blocked by Manchester United's Harry Maguire.

Manchester United had its own scoring opportunity when Harry Maguire set up Amad Diallo, whose shot flew across the goal after Tottenham failed to clear a corner. However, the deadlock was broken in the 42nd minute when Destiny Udogie's cross wasn't involved, but rather a whipped cross from Yves Bissouma wasn't the one. A cross from Sarr whipped in caused chaos in the box, and Johnson got to the ball at the near post. The ball was then inadvertently deflected into the net by Luke Shaw, giving Tottenham the lead.

The goal might not have been the most aesthetically pleasing, but it arrived at a crucial moment in the intense first-half battle. Johnson's breakthrough came at a vital time, giving Tottenham the lead just before halftime. This was the 31st time Manchester United had conceded the opening goal this season, the most of any Premier League club across all competitions, highlighting a concerning trend for the Red Devils.

This latest development further underscored Manchester United's struggles, but they began to shift the momentum when Rasmus Hojlund headed wide from Amad's cross. Meanwhile, Tottenham's defense seemed fragile, with goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario barely managing to keep Leny Yoro at bay on a Bruno Fernandes set piece. As the North Londoners clung to their narrow lead, Vicario faltered on a routine free-kick from Fernandes. Fortunately for Tottenham, Micky van de Ven produced an incredible acrobatic clearance on Hojlund's header, saving the day.

⚪️ Tottenham are your 2025 Europa League champions 🏆#UELfinal pic.twitter.com/m4HFhxrZxY

— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) May 21, 2025

Manchester United continued to press for the equalizer, with Bruno Fernandes having a diving header cleared from Noussair Mazraoui's cross. Manager Ruben Amorim attempted to inject new energy into the game with a double substitution, bringing on Alejandro Garnacho and Joshua Zirkzee. Garnacho nearly made an instant impact, forcing Guglielmo Vicario into a spectacular one-handed save. Despite United's late push, Tottenham held on to secure the win, earning a trophy that had eluded them during the successful Mauricio Pochettino era. This victory marked a triumphant night for Ange Postecoglou's side.

The win was a fitting milestone for Ange Postecoglou, marking his 100th match in charge with a trophy. Tottenham celebrated their 150th European victory, a testament to the club's rich history. Meanwhile, Manchester United's European campaign ended in disappointment, with their unbeaten run coming to an end in the final game. The Red Devils will now face scrutiny and questions about their performance in the competition.