Kolkata : Tottenham Hotspur clinched their first major trophy since 2008, defeating Manchester United 1-0 in UEFA Europa League Final. This was also their first European triumph since 1984.
Spurs opened their account in 42nd minute with Brennan Johnson smashing a loose ball from close range cross by Pape Matar Sarr took deflections off Luke Shaw and Johnson himself, getting past Andre Onana.
This lead continued throughout the match despite Manchester United’s veil efforts to score an equalizer. Rasmus Højlund came close late on, only for Micky van de Ven to clear off the line in spectacular fashion. Luke Shaw had a final chance with a header, but Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario held firm.
With just 27% possession and a single shot on target, Spurs defended deep in the second half, surviving waves of United pressure. Manchester United fans chanted coach Ruben Amorim’s name in defiance, but their club exits the season without silverware — and without European football for only the second time in 35 years.
As the final whistle blew, Spurs scripted their name in history books.
Despite a dismal Premier League season, Ange Postecoglou’s side delivered when it mattered most. The Australian, under pressure after Spurs finished below United in the league, kept his record of winning silverware in his second season at every club he’s managed.
“This club hasn’t won a trophy for 17 years — it means so much,” said Johnson after the match.
Spurs captain Son Heung-min said he is the “happiest man in the world” after lifting the Europa League to end his wait to win a trophy with Tottenham. The South Korea international, who joined the club 10 years ago, is Spurs’ fifth highest goalscorer of all time but had not won any silverware until a 1-0 victory over Manchester United in Bilbao on Wednesday. “Wow, an feeling amazing!” Son told TNT Sports. “Today is the day the dream came true. Happiest man in the world to be honest.”
Son was the only member of the Spurs side who lost the Champions League final in 2019 to play a part in another European final six years on.
After a number of near misses over the past decade, the 32-year-old said he felt the pressure to deliver.
“I felt the pressure,” he added. “I wanted it so badly. The last seven days I was dreaming about this game every single day. Finally it happened, I can rest easy”.
“Today is the day we can celebrate. Maybe I’ll miss the flight (home)!”
Son has a huge following back in his homeland and had a special word of thanks to the Korean fans who stayed up through the night to watch his success.
“I’m very proud to be Korean. I want to saw thank you to the Korean fans”.
“It was 4am (kick-off) there and they are supporting me like crazy.”
With this Son becomes only skipper from South Korea to win Europa League title.
