Tottenham Hotspur have won the UEFA Europa League, defeating Manchester United on Wednesday, 1-0, thanks to a first-half goal scored by Brennan Johnson, as the side coached by Ange Postecoglou managed to win their first trophy since 2008 when they won the League Cup.
This is the third time Spurs have won the Europa League, also doing so in the 1972 and 1984 editions when the tournament was known as the UEFA Cup. Tottenham, after lifting the trophy, will be playing Champions League soccer next season despite a disappointing Premier League campaign where they finished seventh.
It's a massive achievement for Postecoglou, who will now discuss his future with the club, lifting them to glory after so many years of shortcomings for the London-based squad. On the other hand, it's a huge setback for Manchester United and manager Ruben Amorim, who replaced Erik ten Hag in November 2024 and will have to face a season without playing European soccer next campaign.
IT'S A NIGHTMARE FOR LUKE SHAW WHO TURNS IT IN TO HIS OWN NET JUST BEFORE THE BREAK 😳 pic.twitter.com/NUMVD9lUfb
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 21, 2025
The final was intense but also showed the flaws of both teams, as has happened during the whole Premier League season, as Manchester United and Tottenham are in 16th and 17th place in the standings, respectively. The match, played at the San Mames in Bilbao, was decided by Johnson's goal, which was aided by an unfortunate deflection off Manchester United's left back Luke Shaw. This unforgettable night marks a triumphant return for Spurs, who lift a European trophy, while the Red Devils face a critical offseason of reflection and potential new structural changes.
It took 17 years for Tottenham to win a trophy, as Spurs only won their last one in 2008 after winning 1-0 in the League Cup final against Chelsea at Wembley. It feels like the end of a nightmare for the team coached by Ange Postecoglou who can now finally celebrate after a disappointing season, as they are currently 17th in the Premier League standings. It was all or nothing before the final, but it turned out to be one of the most successful nights in the history for Tottenham. Club captain Heung-Min Son has lifted his first trophy since he joined the club and Spurs have qualified for the next edition of the UEFA Champions League and can now plan the future after the Bilbao final.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR ARE YOUR 2024/25 UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE CHAMPIONS 🏆 pic.twitter.com/quawt93dF6
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 21, 2025
Over the season, which was more than disappointing until today as mentioned, Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou said: "I always win a trophy in my second season." It seemed a bit overconfident, especially after what happened in the Premier League, but then it turned out it was one of the most memorable quotes of his career. Now, both manager and the club will sit down to discuss their future, as it's not guaranteed he will stay in charge after winning the Europa League and qualifying for Champions League soccer, but what Postecoglou has done at Tottenham will last forever. After managers like Mauricio Pochettino, Jose Mourinho, Antonio Conte among others, he was the one who brought a trophy back to the club after 18 years.
“I just had a feeling inside of me, that this was achievable this year.”
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 21, 2025
Ange Postecoglou reflects on bringing Spurs their first trophy in 17 years and what it means for the club 🏆👏 pic.twitter.com/rOaozm3Lsq
It was another disappointing night for Manchester United fans, who can't see any light at the end of the tunnel. The Red Devils will now plan for the future, knowing they won't play Champions League and in general European soccer next season, marking what's probably the lowest point in the history of this historical club. The Portuguese head coach, Ruben Amorim, was appointed last November to replace Erik ten Hag but despite the European run he wasn't able to turn things around and couldn't qualify for Europe in his first season at the club. The question is: Will the club give him another shot or will Manchester United start yet another managerial revolution in the coming weeks?
“We were the better team, but in the end if you don’t score goals you can’t win matches.”
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 21, 2025
Ruben Amorim breaks down what went wrong for Manchester United in the Europa League final 🔴 pic.twitter.com/va1aI8FveJ
League Phase participants (24 of 36):
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Tottenham win the 2024-25 edition of the UEFA Europa League after beating 1-0 Manchester United in the final. An unforgettable night for Spurs and for manager Ange Postecoglou who won his first trophy at the club. In the final minutes Man United did everything they could by Guglielmo Vicario made a crucial save and kept the clean sheet. What a night for Spurs!
In 15 minutes the final will be over and Manchester United have to give it all to score at least the 1-1: Tottenham, on the other hand, are one step away from winning their first title since 2008, but everything can happen...
While Bruno Fernandes missed the chance to score, Alejandro Garnacho's shot was denied by Vicario, but Manchester United are now ramping up the pressure in pursuit of an equalizer.
First two changes for Amorim: Alejandro Garnacho and Joshua Zirkzee make it into the pitch as Rasmus Hojlund and Mason Mount were replaced.
What a chance for United! Maguire heads the ball toward an open net after Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario's delayed reaction, only for Van de Ven to produce a stunning volley to clear it off the line.
Ange Postecoglou makes his first change of the final and it's the most awaited one as Tottenham captain Son Heung-min enters into the pitch and replaces Brazilian striker Richarlison.
Despite Manchester United's close call with Yoro, whose shot was brilliantly saved by Vicario, Tottenham's strategy is evident: Spurs are focused on stifling United's attacking moves from the start of their plays.
Compared to the first half, when both teams tried to score the opening goal of the final, it looks like here Tottenham and Manchester United are trying to care more about the defense rather than creating chances. This is what Tottenham need to make it happen...
The second half has started with no changes in the two teams. Tottenham are leading 1-0 after the own goal of Manchester United's left back Luke Shaw.
It's 1-0 for Tottenham after the first half. Despite Manchester United had the final in control, Spurs capitalized in Bilbao with the goal scored by Brennan Johnson and also thanks to deflection of Luke Shaw, who touched the ball into his own net with his right arm after Brennan Johnson failed to touch it before.
Ok, I was not ready for that. As the final approached halftime with the score level, Tottenham took the lead in Bilbao with the goal scored by Brennan Johnson, while Shaw inadvertently deflected the ball into his own net with his right hand, leaving goalkeeper Onana unable to make the save.
Only five minutes left before the end of the first half here in Bilbao, and both sides have struggled over the last 20 minutes and haven't created much. It seems that only Amad Diallo can be dangerous today...
After the opening 25 minutes of the final, both teams are showing strong potential to create scoring opportunities, with neither goalkeeper appearing entirely secure tonight. Amad Diallo is emerging as a key figure for Manchester United, while Tottenham are relying on their high-pressing strategy to disrupt Ruben Amorim's side's possession and generate goal-scoring chances. It didn't really work so far, but that's the plan for Spurs.
Amad Diallo had the biggest chance of the final so far as the former Atalanta winger had a a shot attempt that went outside the corner on the right side of Vicario. It looked close!
Manchester United had a better start in the opening ten minutes of the final in Bilbao, but it was Tottenham that had the first two real chances to score the opening goal of the game. The first attempt was saved by United goalkeeper Andre Onana while few moments later Pedro Porro's free-kick wasn't cleared and Richarlison had a shot blocked by Bruno Fernandes.
Both teams have earned their first corner kicks in the final, with Manchester United now puttin greater pressure on their rivals. The match is shaping up to be an open contest, with plenty of space on the pitch despite intense pressing from both sides.
And we're now underway: the 2024-25 UEFA Europa League final has started!
This is not only a final between two English teams, but this is even bigger as after a disappointing campaign Manchester United or Tottenham can play Champions League soccer if they win tonight. The loser, on the other hand, will be out of all the European tournaments next season.
It's almost time for the UEFA Europa League final as both teams are about to enter the pitch for the Europa anthem and then the kick off. The pressure is growing!
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou, speaking to TNT Sports: "These guys know it's a special night for the club. As a football club, we've not had too many of these moments recently, so it's important that we take it tonight. You can sense the excitement among the supporters. We've sensed it in the city these last couple of days. We're looking forward to it."
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim, speaking with CBS Sports in the pre-match interview, commented on the rumours about his future as a possible defeat could determine a possible sacking. Amorim says 'it's clear' that he will stay in charge of Man United regardless what will happen in the final: "I'm here to stay", Amorim told Peter Schmeichel.
Tottenham are unbeaten across their last six meetings with United (W4 D2), winning 3-0 at Old Trafford in September and 1-0 at home in February in the Premier League this season. They were also 4-3 victors in the League Cup quarterfinals in December.
Tottenham striker Son Heung-min will start from the bench and that's the biggest news of the day so far. After recovering from the injury and starting as well over the weekend, Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou decided to bench the Korean striker as he probably opted to have him available during the game, considering also the chance to have the extra time and the penalties as well. However, that's still a surprising decision!
Both managers are risking a lot if they lose on Wednesday. While Tottenham are expected to part ways with Ange Postecoglou regardless what will be the result of the final, Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim is probably risking much more because his future has not been discussed yet internally at the club, and in case of winning the trophy, he's expecting to stay as he joined the club in November 2024 after replacing Erik ten Hag. It's clear that both coaches' reputations, after such a disappointing seasons, will depend a lot on the final in Bilbao. Tottenham, in particular, won their last trophy in 2008, after winning 2-1 over Chelsea at Wembley Stadium in the League Cup final. Both teams have lifted the trophy before as Spurs won when the tournament was known as the UEFA Cup in 1972 and 1984, while Manchester United won it in 2017 under Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho.
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