After a 41-year European drought, Tottenham Hotspur celebrated again and lifted their fourth continental title. Spurs beat Manchester United at San Mames with a solitary goal (1-0) from Brennan Johnson before the break. Ange Postecoglou fulfilled his promise of “winning a title in his second year”, qualifying for the next Champions League and knocking out a United side that has hit rock bottom in a dramatic comeback campaign. All this two years after Harry Kane’s departure from London. The ironies of soccer.
It was a final with more atmosphere and tension than soccer. The usual, yes, but this time accentuated by facing 17th and 16th in the Premier League 2024-25. Their poor seasons in the league were no fluke, and they proved it at Bilabo. Little soccer. Isolated chances, a lot of nerves and constant inaccuracies. Among the discreet level, few stood out… and Sir Alex Ferguson’s face of circumstances in the VIP box was assumed. From what his United was… to what it is now.
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Gareth Bale, also present, was lifted out of his seat by Brennan Johnson. UEFA finally gave him the credit for 1-0. A fine cross from Sarr in an isolated attack was met by a dramatic Luke Shaw at the near post. The England winger, who scored his fifth goal in this Europa League, became the first player to score for Tottenham in a final since Jonathan Woodgate in 2008. Almost nothing.
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From then on, Tottenham just survived and watched the minutes go by while Manchester United were unable to penetrate a well-organized defense. Solanke had the chance to score from a counter-attack led by Udogie, but he made a mistake. And they got themselves into trouble.
Manchester United pride (half-heartedly)
The ‘Red Devils’ pulled on their pride and began to lay siege. The clearest chance came in the 67th minute: Vicario failed in an exit, Hojlund headed and Van de Ven, with an acrobatic shot that put his physical integrity at risk, saved the equalizer on the line. It was not the last one, Garnacho came on.
The Argentinean had already warned with his first two interventions: two balls received, two actions in which he faced his rival. And in the second one he took a tight shot that Vicario saved with a great hand. But it was an oasis in the sterile game of the Mancunian team beyond the chances that Amorim’s team had in the discount, by pure inertia and final pride.
It was Tottenham who celebrated at San Mamés. Their first title since 2008, their first European title since 1984 and the fourth in their history after two UEFA Cups and a Cup Winners’ Cup. They will play in the next Champions League.
