Brennan Johnson’s scrappy 42nd-minute winner gave Tottenham their first trophy in more than 17 years and a place in the Champions League with victory in an all-English Europa League final against Manchester United.
Wales forward Johnson pounced from Pape Matar Sarr’s cross, slicing a shot towards goal that took a heavy touch off United defender Luke Shaw and dropped beyond the reach of goalkeeper Andre Onana.
Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou will feel a considerable level of vindication after guiding the team immediately above the relegation zone in the top flight back into competition with Europe’s elite, making good on his pledge to continue his tendency of winning silverware in his second season with clubs.
United were denied a second-half equaliser by Micky van de Ven’s acrobatic goalline clearance from Rasmus Hojlund’s header before Guglielmo Vicario brilliantly tipped away Luke Shaw’s close-range header, but there was to be no redemption for Ruben Amorim in a largely miserable first season in charge since the Portuguese’s arrival from Sporting in November.
FIRST BLOOD SPURS! ⚽️
It’s scrappy but they won’t care! Brennan Johnson claims it as he takes full advantage of carnage in the box to put Spurs ahead in the Europa League Final 🤩
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/l5Jg9BgYgr
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 21, 2025
Tottenham vs Man United: Postecoglou wins Europa League
In a season when Postecoglou has repeatedly been accused of naively cavalier tactics, Spurs ceded possession in favour of defensive shape, swapping swashbuckling for stubbornness and panache for pragmatism.
The result was a crucial third clean sheet in four Europa League games, comprising a study in contrasts with a league run that has not featured a clean sheet since their 1-0 home win over United on February 16.
They absorbed an abundance of pressure as the contest wore on, surviving when Vicario fumbled an attempt to gather a cross to afford Hojlund United’s best chance before the Italy international reacted smartly to thwart Shaw during seven minutes of added time.
Van de Ven – troubled by injuries throughout the season, and the provider of an assist for Johnson when Spurs won 3-0 at United in the league – will long be reminded of his heroic intervention on the line, a highlights-reel moment suitable for a game often low on quality and high on nerves.
2025 Europa League final: United miss out
Amorim had spoken of the financial importance to United of winning, but there was perhaps more at stake for Postecoglou, who has been among the favourites as the next manager to leave their post throughout the season
Routinely tetchy and defensive as Tottenham’s terrible domestic season put all the more pressure on their domestic run, the Australian’s next cause for consternation in press conferences is likely to be questions around how Spurs will fare in the Champions League when they have struggled so badly in the Premier League.
For now, Postecoglou can celebrate. The emotions were overwhelming for captain Son Heung-min, who wept on the pitch and was held in a long embrace by injured midfielder James Maddison as Tottenham awaited the trophy presentation.
Spurs play their final game of the season at home to Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League on Sunday (16:00 BST), while United are simultaneously at home to Aston Villa.
Where was the Europa League final 2025?
The final was played at the San Mames Stadium home of Bilbao side Athletic Club, who were knocked out by United in the semi-finals.
The Lions moved there in 2013. Their previous stadium staged the second leg of the final in 1977, when Bilbao beat Juve 2-1 but lost on away goals.
San Mamés 😍#UEL pic.twitter.com/JnFtle4gzh
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) January 29, 2025
Have Tottenham ever won the Europa League before?
Tottenham won the inaugural edition of the competition – known as the UEFA Cup until 2009 – with a 3-2 aggregate win against Wolves in the 1972 final.
They also triumphed in 1984, beating Anderlecht on penalties after both legs ended 1-1.
#OnThisDay in 1984 we beat Anderlecht to lift the UEFA Cup at White Hart Lane! #COYS pic.twitter.com/fFOGWxb5kt
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) May 23, 2017
