Tottenham win Europa League by beating Manchester United in the final

Tottenham Hotspur have finally ended their 17-year wait for silverware as Brennan Johnson’s first-half goal proved enough to secure a 1-0 victory against Manchester United in the Europa League final at Bilbao’s San Mamés Stadium.

The triumph delivers on the promise made by under-fire Spurs head coach Ange Postecoglou, who vowed to bring a trophy in his second season.

Postecoglou, who confidently stated before the match that he would "never be a clown," led the North London side to a historic European success, joining club legends Bill Nicholson and Keith Burkinshaw as managers to win continental silverware for Tottenham.

Despite the victory sparking unbridled joy among the 15,000 Tottenham fans inside the stadium and countless more watching worldwide, Postecoglou’s future at Spurs remains uncertain.

However, the Australian coach’s achievement ensures he will be remembered as a hero regardless of what comes next.

The win also secures Tottenham a spot in next season’s UEFA Champions League, bringing a £100 million windfall and following in the footsteps of Newcastle and Crystal Palace, who have made this a season of rare glory for clubs outside the traditional elite.

For Manchester United, the night brought no consolation.

Head coach Ruben Amorim’s side fell short in a season widely regarded as their worst since the 1973-74 relegation campaign.

Amorim, who retains ownership backing, faced criticism for his team selection, particularly his choice to start Mason Mount over Alejandro Garnacho in attack. United lacked their usual spark, and skipper Bruno Fernandes was unusually subdued.

United’s closest chance came mid-second half when Rasmus Hojlund headed a ball following goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario’s error, only for Micky van de Ven to clear it dramatically off the line.

Vicario later made a crucial save to deny Luke Shaw’s header.

Despite seven minutes of stoppage time, United’s efforts, including a last-ditch chance from substitute Joshua Zirkzee and a side-netting miss by Garnacho, were not enough to alter the outcome.

The winning goal itself was a scrappy affair, perfectly reflecting the tension and nerves of two underperforming teams meeting in a rare European final.

As the first half drew to a close, Pape Matar Sarr floated a cross into the box where Johnson outjumped Shaw for the initial touch.

Though the ball then struck Shaw, causing goalkeeper André Onana to scramble, Johnson’s quick second attempt nudged the ball over the line, sealing Tottenham’s victory despite the goal’s contentious nature.