Tottenham Hotspur won the Europa League in Bilbao on Wednesday. Trainer Ange Postecoglou’s team won a disappointing final against Manchester United: 1-0. Spurs defender Micky van de Ven played a striking leading role.
The two clubs barely entertained the crowd in Athletic Club’s San Mamés stadium in the first half. The match had a high pace, but lacked finesse and ingenuity. As a result, there were no clear-cut chances.
Yet Tottenham Hotspur took the lead just before half-time. Pape Sarr crossed the ball in front of the goal, where Brennan Johnson bundled the ball in at the near post. United defender Luke Shaw got a hand to it, but the 23-year-old Spurs attacker was credited with the goal.
Midway through the second half, Van de Ven played a starring role. Rasmus Højlund looked to head in the equalizer, but the 24-year-old Dutch international cleared the ball off the line with an acrobatic feat.
Micky van de Ven Spectacularly Clears Ball Off The Line
United trainer Rúben Amorim brought Joshua Zirkzee into the team – Matthijs de Ligt was missing due to an injury – but the Dutch striker could do little. Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario was alert in the final stages to a shot from Alejandro Garnacho and a header from Shaw. So it remained 1-0.
Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United are both experiencing a dramatic season in the Premier League. The clubs are sixteenth and seventeenth respectively, just above the relegation zone. Spurs have polished their image considerably with the Europa League victory.
It was the fourth European major prize in the history of Tottenham Hotspur (1963, 1972, 1984 and 2025). The club from North London has earned a ticket for the Champions League through the Europa League victory. United will not be seen in Europe next season.