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Tottenham Hotspur have won this year’s Europa League, following a 1-0 win over Manchester United on Wednesday night.
Both teams came into the game looking to win the trophy that would have been a huge positive in a dreadful season.
Winning the Europa would also secure a place in next season’s Champions League.
And it was Spurs who scored the only goal of the match in Bilbao.
Brennan Johnson got on the end of a loose ball in the area to prod it past Andre Onana in the first half.
Manchester United dominated possession but struggled to convert it into clear opportunities, coming closest when Rasmus Hojlund’s header nearly equalized before being cleared acrobatically by Micky van de Ven on the line, and a 97th-minute save by Vicario from a Luke Shaw header.
Despite the match’s lack of fluidity, the significance for both clubs and their supporters remained high, with Spurs aiming for European silverware and United seeking a third consecutive season with a major trophy.
The victory not only ends Tottenham’s 17-year trophy drought but also secures their place in next season’s UEFA Champions League.
United threw everything forward in search of an equaliser. Garnacho came close, Bruno missed a sitter, and Højlund had a header blocked.
However, the Spurs backline, marshaled brilliantly by Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, held firm.
Time-wasting yellow cards and constant clearances showed Tottenham’s tactical maturity.
As the final whistle blew, the Tottenham players fell to their knees in jubilation. Ange Postecoglou’s men defied the odds, soaking up pressure and delivering when it mattered most.
