Tottenham Claim Europa League Glory After Defeating Manchester United

Posted on
Tottenham Hotspurs Blue Flag

Ahead of kick-off, the 2025 Europa League final was derided by many as being the lowest calibre meeting we had seen in such a game. It is perfectly possible that Spurs and Man United will finish the 2024/25 Premier League season in 17th and 16th respectively. Embarrassingly, combining their current points tallies of just 38 and 39 would still leave them trailing leaders Liverpool by six points and domestically at least it has been a season to forget for both clubs.

This Europa League final meeting, at Bilbao’s San Mames, was a chance for redemption for one of these underperforming sides though. Spurs had won this competition, when it was known as the UEFA Cup, on two occasions previously, whilst Man United had won it just once. For both clubs, winning silverware was a chance to save their seasons but, perhaps just as significant as the trophy, winning the Europa League would earn one of these very average teams a Champions League spot next term.

There was a lot on the line for these fallen giants, who not so long ago were part of a breakaway group that tried to form a European Super League. There was huge pressure on their managers too, though it was felt that victory might not be enough to save Ange, whilst defeat probably would not condemn United’s Ruben Amorim.

Final Lives Down to Expectations

Barring the occasional moment of good play the 2025 Europa League final went as many thought it might. It was a game low on class, played between two quite poor sides that were both low on confidence and also under significant pressure due to how much winning (or losing) would mean.

Finals are often tense, with so much at stake, but after such dismal campaigns, there was even more than usual riding on the outcome of the clash in the Basque Country. Neither team reacted well to that pressure and there were misplaced passes aplenty, with lots of scrappy exchanges, plenty of fouls and no real rhythm to the game. In other words, it was the final that many feared.

Both clubs were desperate to earn entry into next season’s Champions League, for the money that brings, the prestige, and the way in which it assists in attracting top-quality players to the club over the summer. But in terms of the trophy itself, there is no doubt that this meant more to Spurs, who hadn’t won anything at all since lifting the League Cup in 2008. One had to go back to 1991 for their last really big trophy (the FA Cup), to 1961 for their most recent league title, and to 1984 for the last time they won anything in Europe.

And perhaps that pressure took its toll on the north Londoners because, although United were poor, Spurs were even worse. But we will return to that. Let us first look at how the game was won.

Goal Unworthy of Winning Any Final… Except this One

The history books will show that Tottenham beat United 1-0 and that Brennan Johnson was the hero of the night, scoring the only goal. The Welsh international was credited with the winning strike, which came after 42 minutes, although we are yet to see a replay which shows he actually touched the ball.

It was a scrappy goal in a scrappy game and so in a sense it was perfect for this final. Both United and Spurs are big clubs with rich traditions and they compete in probably the most competitive league in the world. Nonetheless, never before had two such low-ranked teams (in their domestic competitions) met in a European final.

Both began slowly, with Spurs’ nerves epitomised by keeper Guglielmo Vicario’s early missteps. The Red Devils grew into the game a little without ever really threatening and it seemed we were destined to go into halftime at 0-0.

However, after some half-decent football, including a nice interception by Pape Matar Sarr, an intelligent run by Rodrigo Bentancur that was well picked out by Richarlison, and then a good cross from Sarr, the game had its goal. The ball bounced awkwardly, hit Johnson, then bounced into Luke Shaw and towards the goal. Johnson claimed a subsequent touch – we aren’t convinced – and Andre Onana could not quite claw the ball out.

In the second half it was largely one-way traffic, with United pushing for the equaliser and Tottenham sitting back. Amorim’s men had 80% of the ball in that time and though they managed 11 shots (four of which were on target), they never really, truly, looked like scoring. Vicario redeemed himself to a degree with some decent saves but the one moment befitting a big final came from Spurs defender Micky van de Ven three-quarters of the way through the clash.

After another handling error from Vicario, Rasmus Hojlund headed the ball goalwards and, seemingly, into the net. However, Tottenham’s Dutch defender leapt acrobatically and somehow stopped the ball from crossing the line, clearing it at around head height and landing heavily.

The eventual losers continued to press but they were unable to find a way through and it was Spurs who won the final that everyone apart from them will want to forget.

Spurs Win Without a Shot on Target?

Many Spurs fans and players won’t care about anything much other than the fact that they won the trophy. In the sense that they qualified for the Champions League and claimed silverware, it was the best campaign they have had for many decades.

However, more pragmatic people (and that will certainly include club chairman Daniel Levy), will worry that against a shockingly bad Man United they were easily the inferior side. In the second period Tottenham did not manage a shot of any description. They completed just 43 passes. Both of these stats are fine, sort of, given they were winning.

But even in the first period they offered so little. Their only shot on target was the goal and, as we have said more than once, we don’t even think that was a shot given the apparent lack of contact from Johnson. Goal aside, their xG for the whole game was just 0.2 and so it is obvious that Ange is on borrowed time at best – and has a lot of work to do if he stays. Mind you, the same can be said of Amorim and co – and at least Spurs will get a nice boost in their transfer budget now a CL spot is in the bag.