Tottenham Hotspur ended a 17-year trophy drought with a dramatic 1-0 victory over Manchester United in Wednesday’s Europa League final in Bilbao, securing both silverware and a return to the Champions League under manager Ange Postecoglou.

In a high-stakes all-English showdown at the San Mames Stadium, Spurs edged a tense encounter that brought their first trophy since winning the Carling Cup in 2008. Brennan Johnson was credited with the decisive goal in the 42nd minute, after a deflected cross from Pape Sarr ricocheted off Luke Shaw and trickled beyond United goalkeeper Andre Onana.

The match marked a significant milestone for Postecoglou, who had promised silverware by his second season and delivered it amid mounting pressure. His side’s success sees them join the ranks of Tottenham’s previous European triumphs in 1972 and 1984, and secures Champions League football next season.

United, by contrast, saw their turbulent season hit a new low. The loss not only ended their unbeaten Europa League run but also condemned them to a campaign without European football for the first time since 2014-15. The defeat deepens the challenges facing manager Ruben Amorim, whose rebuilding job just became tougher without the lure of Champions League qualification.

Both sides struggled to find rhythm early on, though Spurs looked the more enterprising. Richarlison, Pedro Porro and Pape Sarr all had attempts blocked, while United’s brightest spark came from Amad Diallo, whose 16th-minute strike flashed narrowly wide.

The breakthrough came just before half-time when Sarr, overcoming injury concerns to start, sent a cross that clipped Shaw and was nudged over the line by Johnson. The goal sparked wild celebrations among the travelling Spurs supporters.

United fought back after the break, with Bruno Fernandes, Rasmus Hojlund and substitute Alejandro Garnacho all going close. But Tottenham’s defensive resilience shone through. Micky van de Ven executed a spectacular goal-line clearance in the 68th minute to deny Hojlund, while goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario made a crucial save in stoppage time to keep out Shaw’s header.

As Casemiro’s overhead kick landed in the side-netting in the dying moments, the final whistle confirmed Tottenham’s long-awaited return to glory. Postecoglou, beaming on the touchline, briefly silenced his critics with a defining triumph, while United are left to regroup after one of their worst seasons in recent history.

Faridah Abdulkadiri

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