Tottenham Hotspur Triumphs 1-0 Over Manchester United in Europa League Final, First Trophy in 17 Years

Tottenham Hotspur players celebrate their victory with the Europa League trophy. Image Credits via Getty Images

Brennan Johnson’s scrambled goal ended a 17-year Tottenham Hotspur trophy drought with a 1-0 victory over Manchester United in the Europa League Final on Wednesday, May 21.

It marked Spurs’ first silverware since the 2008 League Cup and their first European trophy since 1984. The victory also secured Champions League qualification for Tottenham next season.

On a night of clear tension and nerves, with neither side maintaining the ball and moves ending in panicked defense, it was evident that a little luck was needed to claim victory.

The first goal came in the 42nd minute when Tottenham’s Papa Matar Sarr, who had completed just a single pass to this point, curled in a cross to the near post for Johnson.

Sarr’s attempted flick, using his foot to propel the ball into the air, bounced off the shoulder of United’s defender Luke Shaw, brushed Johnson’s boot again, and crossed the goal-line with United’s goalkeeper, Andre Onana, unable to claw it out with a desperate arm.

“I knew I touched it a bit [for the goal], but not clean, then I looked up and the ball was trickling in the goal,” Johnson told TNT Sports after the game.

The goal was scrappy, but Spurs held firm in the second half, aiming to protect their slender advantage and look for opportunities to strike again on the counter-attack.

Manchester United nearly equalized the goal, but Shaw’s header was saved by a diving Guglielmo Vicario, Tottenham’s goalkeeper.

“This season hasn’t been good at all, but I swear not one of us players right now care about that. This is what it's all about, this club hasn't won a trophy for 17 years," goalscorer Johnson told TNT Sports.

Their victory was a historical moment, especially for Tottenham’s captain Son Heung-Min, who replaced Richarlison in the 67th minute and lifted the first trophy of his club career.

Wearing the South Korean flag around his waist and hoisting the Europa League Trophy, Son said the win made him feel like a “legend” and the “happiest man in the world.”