Tottenham Hotspur have ended a 17-year wait for silverware by capturing the UEFA Europa League title with a 1-0 triumph over Manchester United in the 2024/2025 season final.
The decisive moment of the European showdown came just before halftime, in the 42nd minute, when Brennan Johnson capitalised on a lapse in concentration from United’s backline to bury the ball past André Onana, sending the Spurs faithful into jubilation.
The atmosphere at the sold-out stadium was electric as both teams began with intensity. Manchester United made an assertive start, with Rasmus Højlund pressing aggressively and Bruno Fernandes probing space, though Spurs remained disciplined.
Tottenham’s strength lay in their swift counterattacks. The combination of Pedro Porro and Yves Bissouma gave the North London side an attacking edge. Richarlison nearly opened the scoring in the 12th minute, only to see his effort blocked. At the other end, Amad Diallo came close on two occasions, missing narrowly and later earning a caution for a tactical challenge.
As the half wore on, Spurs settled into a rhythm. A pivotal moment arrived when Johnson seized an error and calmly slotted the ball home, handing Tottenham the crucial lead heading into the break.
The second half was a nervy affair. United pushed hard for an equaliser, with Alejandro Garnacho drawing a brilliant save from Guglielmo Vicario in the 75th minute and Fernandes narrowly missing a header moments earlier. One of the game’s highlights came when Micky van de Ven cleared a goal-bound effort with an acrobatic bicycle kick, preserving Tottenham’s slender advantage.
The tension escalated in the closing stages. Players from both sides were shown yellow cards—including Van de Ven, Richarlison, Lindelöf, and Zirkzee. Harry Maguire and Cristian Romero were also seen engaging in heated exchanges as tempers boiled over.
Despite six minutes of added time, United could not find the net, with Leny Yoro’s final attempt flying off target. When the whistle blew, the celebrations began for Tottenham, who claimed their first major title since lifting the League Cup in 2008 and their first European trophy since the 1984 UEFA Cup.
This landmark victory also guarantees Spurs a place in next season’s UEFA Champions League—an impressive feat given their current 17th-place standing in the Premier League.
Manchester United, on the other hand, will reflect on a campaign of unfulfilled potential, as their missed opportunities proved costly on a night when history favoured North London.
