Tottenham Hotspur Wins First Trophy In 17 Years With 1-0 Victory Over Manchester United In Europa League Final

Tottenham Hotspur clinched a 1-0 victory over Manchester United in the Europa League final on Wednesday night in Bilbao, Spain, ending a 17-year wait for a trophy.

The win marks Spurs’ first cup success since 2008 and their first European silverware since the 1983–84 season. Emotions ran high at Athletic Bilbao’s Estadio de San Mamés as fans and players in white erupted in celebration.

Long labeled as a team that crumbles in crucial moments, Tottenham defied that narrative and savored the triumph like a first-time championship.

The match started scrappily with limited opportunities until Spurs broke through just before halftime. In the 42nd minute, Pape Sarr sent in a right-footed cross that deflected off Manchester United’s Luke Shaw and reached Brennan Johnson, who slotted the ball home to ignite the Spurs supporters.

The most dramatic moment came in the second half. As United pressed for an equalizer, Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario mishandled a free-kick, giving Rasmus Højlund a chance at an open goal.

But defender Micky van de Ven made a stunning acrobatic goal-line clearance in the 62nd minute to preserve the lead.

Vicario later redeemed himself with a series of crucial saves, first thwarting Alejandro Garnacho and then denying Luke Shaw in the closing moments to ensure a clean sheet.

With the win, Tottenham not only lifted the Europa League trophy but also secured a spot in next season’s UEFA Champions League—a major boost in an otherwise disappointing domestic campaign. Spurs currently sit 17th in the Premier League table with 21 losses, just behind Manchester United in 16th, who have recorded only four league wins since January.

After the final whistle, goal scorer Brennan Johnson summed up the emotional significance: “I’m so happy right now. Honestly, this season hasn’t been good at all, but I swear, not one of us players care about that. The club hasn’t won a trophy for 17 years. This means so much. All the fans get battered, we get battered about not winning anything. I’m so happy.”