Brennan Johnson scores the winner, Vicario saves the trophy, and Heung-min Son lifts silverware at last
Tottenham Hotspur have ended their 17-year trophy drought with a dramatic 1–0 win over Manchester United in the 2025 Europa League final at San Mamés. It was gritty, not glamorous. It was chaos, not control. But it was history.
A goal, a deflection, and a redemption arc
The breakthrough came in the 42nd minute. Brennan Johnson — once hounded off social media, now immortal — darted across the near post and forced the opener past Andre Onana via a heavy Luke Shaw deflection. Johnson became the first Spurs player to score in a final since Jonathan Woodgate in 2008.
Tottenham had their lead. Now came the siege.
United pushed. Spurs survived. Vicario soared.
Ruben Amorim‘s side controlled 76% of second-half possession and registered six shots on target, but couldn’t find the finish. Garnacho’s entrance gave United hope. Yoro and Fernandes came close. Amad Diallo’s footwork dazzled, but lacked end product.
Then, Micky van de Ven delivered the moment. With Onana flapping and Højlund’s header destined for goal, the Dutch defender leapt into the air and hooked it off the line with a miraculous clearance.
It was, as many put it, “a clearance as good as a goal.”
The game itself? Scrappy. Choppy. Nerve-wracking.
But in the 97th minute, Vicario made the save of his life — diving back across goal to deny Shaw’s header. Seconds later, Casemiro found the side netting, and it was over.
Son finally lifts a trophy. Ange delivers.
Ten years after joining the club, Heung-min Son finally lifted his first trophy. Postecoglou’s second-season magic continues, as Spurs claim their first European silverware since 1984.
And for United? It’s another big game where effort exceeded execution, and an attacking plan came too late.
