By Deborah Nnamdi
Tottenham Hotspur secured their first European trophy in over four decades with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Manchester United in the UEFA Europa League final at San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao on Wednesday night.
The only goal of the match came in the 42nd minute when Pape Matar Sarr’s cross was deflected into United’s net by Luke Shaw for an own goal, with Brennan Johnson’s pressure playing a key role in the buildup.
Chances were few and far between in a tense, cagey affair. United controlled much of the possession but failed to capitalize, coming closest through a Rasmus Højlund header that was heroically cleared off the line by Micky van de Ven, and a last-gasp stop by Guglielmo Vicario to deny Shaw deep into stoppage time.
While the match lacked rhythm, its importance was undeniable. Tottenham were chasing their first trophy since 2008 and their first European success since 1984, while United aimed to extend their recent run of silverware.
The win not only ends Spurs’ 17-year trophy drought but also guarantees them a spot in next season’s UEFA Champions League.
