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Son Heung-min lifts the trophy that Ange Postecoglou promised to win in his second season - AFP/Thomas Coex
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Ange Postecoglou did it. It is what he does, mate. This may well be his mic-drop moment as the only goalscorer, Brennan Johnson, later said. Tottenham Hotspur have won their first trophy in 17 years, their first in Europe for more than four decades, and the head coach kept his promise. The Australian won a trophy in his second season in charge – as he always has done and as he declared he would do again.
Some scoffed at his claim. Others used it to ridicule him. Now it is probably the end for him at Spurs, with the expectation that he will leave after a wretched league campaign, despite also delivering Champions League qualification. A trophy parade and a taxi out of here?
The only goal, a messy, error-strewn one, felt in keeping with a low-grade but high-octane, tense final. Manchester United – as their head coach Ruben Amorim had warned – were simply unable to save their season and were reduced to pumping long balls to makeshift centre-forward Harry Maguire.
This time United did not get away with it, even if there were a few late chances, not least a header from Rasmus Hojlund, which led to a stunningly acrobatic goal-line clearance by Micky van de Ven. It was a match-defining moment. There was also another header, from Luke Shaw, deep into injury time, that was too close to goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.
Reaching the Champions League would be a poisoned chalice, Amorim had suggested. Well, he will not have to drink from it and he might feel it provides him with more time to rebuild. The pressure is on him more than ever. He cannot carry on like this and United will count the cost. On and off the pitch. They are out of Europe completely – for only the second time in 35 years – and now only have a grim fight to stay above Tottenham on Sunday and be only the fifth worst team in the Premier League.
The goal was fit for this final. It was probably an own goal – but not deemed as one as Uefa officially awarded it to Johnson, even if it appeared to go directly in off Shaw’s chest. That felt cruelly apt, given what it has been like for United all season. There have been enough own goals and Bruno Fernandes – United’s big-game player who performed poorly – Maguire, Patrick Dorgu and goalkeeper André Onana also played their part in this one.
FIRST BLOOD SPURS!️
It's scrappy but they won't care! Brennan Johnson claims it as he takes full advantage of carnage in the box to put Spurs ahead in the Europa League Final
@tntsports & @discoveryplusUKpic.twitter.com/l5Jg9BgYgr
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 21, 2025
Not that the Spurs fans will care about how it was scored. The £100 million prize, unlocking the Champions League, is theirs, no matter that it feels disproportionate, given how poor they have been.
Maybe there will be a change of heart from Spurs on Postecoglou. Maybe there was one out on the pitch, with chairman Daniel Levy grinning in celebration as the medals were handed out. Surely it would be perverse if he went now.
Spurs had just three shots, 27.7 per cent possession and completed only 115 passes – all the lowest recorded by Opta, since 2010, for any team in a major European final – and that is a far cry from the football Postecoglou promised. But he won. Spurs have shown in Europe that they can play differently and actually defend a lead. It was up to United to seize the initiative. But it was beyond them.
Football is about the glory, former Spurs captain Danny Blanchflower once said, but there is no more glory than winning a final. It is their first since a League Cup triumph under Juande Ramos in 2008.
There was something compelling about this final and its context of two teams, two managers, two clubs fearing one last humiliation in a gruesome season. Or the joy and relief of winning; of clutching victory from the jaws of defeat and even damnation.
It had stretched to how fans had got here – journeys via Porto and Plzen, Milan and Istanbul and even leaving the continent, via Marrakesh. From all points of the compass. By plane, train, automobile, bus, camper van, boat and 174 private jets to this Basque city by the banks of the Nervión river. But who would show the most nerves?
The answer? Pretty much everyone.
It was not high quality but it was high stakes. The anxiety was always there. Possession was turned over far too quickly, both goalkeepers were unsure, corners were needlessly conceded, passes went astray and there was foul after foul after niggly, frustrating foul.
For United it was not just Fernandes who failed to show up. It was not a good night for the likes of Casemiro, lauded as a player for the big occasion, while substitute Alejandro Garnacho, who was denied by Vicario, captured the mood of wretchedness as he sobbed on the turf at the end. The Argentine was not alone in his tears with Spurs, led by their captain Son Heung-min, shedding them in joy. And almost disbelief.
Afterwards Postecoglou pointed out how much better his team have been with their best back five – the one he was able to play here – and he strengthened that area further by bringing on another centre-half, Kevin Danso, who dealt with Maguire. Postecoglou had his trophy and was swept away in joy and vindication. As were Spurs.
11:57 PM BST
We’ll sign of with some Postecoglou quotes on his future
11:56 PM BST
That tells the story of the game
11:45 PM BST
Postecoglou asked about his late father
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Postecoglou after the game - PA/Adam Davy
11:36 PM BST
Amorim struck a more positive note on TNT
11:31 PM BST
More from Postecoglou in his press conference
11:22 PM BST
Postecoglou appears to take aim and Daniel Levy
11:19 PM BST
Maddison gives a bit back to Roy Keane
11:15 PM BST
More from Postecoglou
11:09 PM BST
Should Spurs still sack Postecolgou regardless?
11:08 PM BST
Should United stick with Amorim?
11:06 PM BST
Amorim on the performance
11:01 PM BST
Postecoglou on that ‘second season’ quote
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Postecoglou lifts the trophy - PA/Andrew Milligan
11:00 PM BST
Son on finally lifting a trophy at Spurs
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Heung-min Son lifts the trophy - Getty Images/Ian MacNicol
10:57 PM BST
Amorim leaving all possibilities open
10:55 PM BST
Amorim speaking now about the future
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Amorim walking past the Europa League - Getty Images/Michael Steele
10:54 PM BST
Van de Ven speaking
10:50 PM BST
Spurs players with a Postecoglou banner
10:47 PM BST
Glenn Hoddle on Tottenham’s defensive display
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Micky van de Ven clears off the line - Getty Images/Juanma
10:44 PM BST
Great banter
10:42 PM BST
Postecoglou suggests he wants to stay
10:41 PM BST
More from Postecoglou
10:40 PM BST
Postecoglou speaking now
10:32 PM BST
Rio Ferdinand on United’s performance
10:31 PM BST
Some of the crowd are on the pitch...
10:29 PM BST
Ange Postecolgou’s range of emotions
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Postecoglou salutes the Spurs fans - Getty Images/Alex Pantling
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Postecoglou with Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes - Reuters/Vincent West
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Postecoglou on the podium - Getty Images/Justin Setterfield
10:26 PM BST
There’s your caption competition
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Ruben Amorim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe - Getty Images/Carl Recine
10:20 PM BST
The Europa League is lifted
That account on X is going to have to reset at zero days since Tottenham last won a trophy. Son lifts the Europa League! His first major trophy as a Spurs player. But he does so with no medal...
10:18 PM BST
The trophy presentation is beginning
Strangely, both Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Daniel Levy are on the flimsy looking stage. Spurs give the United players a guard of honour as they walk up to receive their runners-up medals, which just makes things even worse for the losers in my opinion.
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Spurs players line up to applaud Man Utd - Getty Images/Andrea Gillenea
10:13 PM BST
United lose to the same opponents four times in a season
10:12 PM BST
Salah chirps up
10:10 PM BST
The celebrations begin
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Tottenham Hotspur’s Pedro Porro celebrates - PA/Adam Davy
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Kevin Danso, Cristian Romero and Archie Gray - Reuters/Juan Medina
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Spurs fans at the final whistle - Reuters/Andrew Boyers
10:07 PM BST
Johnson suggests Postecolgou might be about to walk
10:05 PM BST
The match-winner Brennan Johnson speaking
10:03 PM BST
Sam’s verdict
09:59 PM BST
Full time! Tottenham have won the Europa League!
Ange Postecoglou grabs hold of his staff in a celebratory clench, and the Spurs fans are delirious as they claim their first major trophy since 2008. They will play in the Champions League next season and their manager has delivered on his promise of winning a trophy in his second season. It was a poor game, but Spurs deserve credit for some resolute defending, just like Frankfurt away. That has been lacking all season, but they pushed their shoulder to the wheel when required in this competition. Tottenham’s third Uefa Cup/Europa League and first European trophy since 1984.
09:58 PM BST
98 minutes: Spurs 1 United 0
The corner popped up at the back post, but Garnacho’s scissor kick from a tight angle is into the side netting. That is surely that.
09:56 PM BST
96 minutes: Spurs 1 United 0
Huge shouts from a United penalty! It was a scramble in the box but it looked like a leg was dangled. No word on a VAR check just yet.
Save from Vicario! That was surely United’s final chance of salvaging it. Dalot swung a cross onto the head of Shaw but the goalkeeper was equal to his header.
United keep the pressure on, and they have a corner. Onana is coming up.
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Vicario makes a save from Luke Shaw - Getty Images/Ander Gillenea
09:54 PM BST
95 minutes: Spurs 1 United 0
Can Manchester United score? They always score. A wise man once said those words on commentary, but I’m not sure it applies in 2025.
That was close though! Danso with a crucial header in the six-yard box after Amad whipped in a dangerous cross.
Fernandes then feeds Garnacho, but his low cross is aimless. Romero then gives the ball away cheaply, but Yoro kills United’s momentum with a silly shot blazed over from 35 yards.
09:52 PM BST
92 minutes: Spurs 1 United 0
Mainoo for Dorgu is the last throw of the dice. Maguire goes up for another header and feels he should have a corner but the goal kick is given after it is glanced behind. Romero pumps the air as he walks past.
09:51 PM BST
90 minutes: Spurs 1 United 0
There will be SEVEN minutes of added time. Torture for Spurs fans, and some hope for those in the United end who look pretty disconsolate. United sub Lindelof has been shown a yellow for giving the fourth official an earful.
09:49 PM BST
Spurs wise up
09:48 PM BST
88 minutes: Spurs 1 United 0
Harry Maguire has now been shown a yellow card for a push in the back of Romero, and the Spurs captain stays down to kill some time and perhaps plant the seed that it was a red. Why bother with VAR around? Spurs are making two more changes: Gray and Spence replacing Sarr and Udogie.
09:47 PM BST
86 minutes: Spurs 1 United 0
United launch the ball into the Spurs box, but Casemiro is flagged offside as he heads straight at Vicario. Maguire might well stay forward as an emergency centre-forward for the remaining minutes.
Zirkzee works half a yard for a strike from 25 yards after a poor Udogie clearance, but Bissouma made a telling block.
Vicario then catches another high ball and there is more handbags between Maguire and Romero. Spurs feel he went down looking for a penalty.
09:45 PM BST
85 minutes: Spurs 1 United 0
Just what Tottenham needed, Udogie drives forward and wins a foul from Zirkzee in the United half. The United forward is shown a yellow card, and Dalot has replaced Mazraoui. Spurs’ free-kick almost reached Danso at the back post, but United have the goal kick.
09:43 PM BST
83 minutes: Spurs 1 United 0
Great centre-forward play from Solanke to lead a rare Spurs counter, but Son once again loses a race to the ball with the United defender. United probing once again in the Tottenham half, but their football has been clunky all night. They are hoping for a moment of genius or a ball bouncing their way in the box.
09:41 PM BST
80 minutes: Spurs 1 United 0
This is attack vs defence now, but despite United’s dominance of possession and territory Spurs, so flimsy for so much of the season, look robust. Bentacur and Van de Ven head clear after Mazraoui’s cross before Yoro teases a cross across the area. Spurs have every player in their defensive third.
09:39 PM BST
78 minutes: Spurs 1 United 0
Even in the post-Ferguson wilderness years, United have retained a capacity for great escapes and they need another. They will be leaning on all those memories, and the ghosts of great teams past.
Brennan Johnson, the potential match-winner, is off as Postecoglou goes to a back five. Danso replaces Johnson.
09:36 PM BST
76 minutes: Spurs 1 United 0
Son looks a shadow of his former self when trying to spring a counter, caught up by Dorgu. Then Porro went sliding in on Shaw on the edge of the box, but the referee gives a goal kick. It should have been a United free-kick but no question of a penalty. The contact came outside the box.
09:34 PM BST
75 minutes: Spurs 1 United 0
United needed to test Vicario, and Garnacho has. Cutting inside from the left using the overlapping run of Dorgu as a decoy, and his whipped shot almost crept through the hands of Vicario but he tipped the ball past the post. Fernandes then nutmegs Bissouma and Amad wins a corner.
09:33 PM BST
73 minutes: Spurs 1 United 0
More than half a chance for Fernandes when unmarked in the Spurs box, but he misdirects the diving header. Zirzkzee was involved in the move, dropping off the Tottenham centre-backs. Spurs are in their defensive shape and look like they are steeling themselves to see this out.
09:31 PM BST
71 minutes: Spurs 1 United 0
Amorim is making his first changes: Zirzkee on for Hojlund and Garnacho on for Mount. Like-for-like substitutions. That Van de Ven clearance makes you think it is going to be Spurs’ night. United need to keep testing Vicario.
09:29 PM BST
68 minutes: Spurs 1 United 0
Bissouma is shown a yellow card for delaying the restart after Amad was fouled by Son on halfway.
What a piece of defending from Van de Ven to deny United from the free-kick! Vicario made an almighty mess of a straight delivery, and it popped up for Hojlund to head towards the empty net but Van de Ven hooked off the line with an acrobatic volley. A follow-up was blocked. Spurs and Vicario can breathe again.
09:26 PM BST
66 minutes: Spurs 1 United 0
Richarlison has told the Tottenham bench it is time for him to come off, which also gives Amorim the chance to speak to United’s players. Son is going to replace Richarlison. If you could pick a player to get a counter-attacking chance late in a final, Son would be right up there. At his sharpest, anyway.
09:23 PM BST
63 minutes: Spurs 1 United 0
What an opening for Spurs to maybe seal it! United were caught wide open with Casemiro one of two players back, and Udogie was always going to have far too much gas for him. The left-back played a well-timed pass to the spare man Solanke who would have been through on goal against Onana but he let the ball run under his foot and Maguire recovered.
09:21 PM BST
61 minutes: Spurs 1 United 0
They are still looking secure, but Spurs are just staring to drop a little deeper and are losing their exit routes. Mount tries to poke a through ball towards Hojlund but it runs through to Vicario.
Nice from Mount again to slip away from Bentancur, but then United lose the ball with poor square pass by Fernandes.
Udogie goes sliding in on Johnson who wants a free-kick, but the officials give a goal kick.
09:18 PM BST
59 minutes: Spurs 1 United 0
Richarlison is then shown a yellow card for a regulation trip on Mazraoui. Fernandes to take the free-kick from a crossing position wide right... it bounced awkwardly in front of Vicario with Yoro sliding in front of the goalkeeper, but he kept it out a Spurs scrambled clear. Nervous moment.
09:16 PM BST
57 minutes: Spurs 1 United 0
Dorgu’s switch of play is cut out by Udogie, but then Richarlison falls on the ball looking for a free-kick and the referee rightly tells him to get up. He was given sterner instructions from Bruno Fernandes. United cannot sustain any possession though, and Spurs break up the momentum again with a throw.
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Richarlison lays on the ground - Getty Images/Ander Gillenea
09:14 PM BST
54 minutes: Spurs 1 United 0
United are not exactly turning the screw at the moment, the ball is moving like treacle from one end to the other. They have been a moments team for years now, and they are in dire need of one from somewhere.
09:11 PM BST
52 minutes: Spurs 1 United 0
Nice from Bentancur to flick the ball around Dorgu, but then Sarr is penalised for a foul on Casemiro. There has been a more pragmatic edge about Tottenham in this competition and they are leaning into that again tonight. Famous last words but Spurs look quite solid.
09:09 PM BST
49 minutes: Spurs 1 United 0
Nice inswinging cross from Amad to find Hojlund who was in some space, but the ball was slightly behind him and he failed to keep the header down.
Van de Ven is then shown a yellow card for barging into the back of Hojlund when contesting an aerial ball. A chance for Fernandes to swing the ball into the box. A combination of Bentancur and Bissouma clear.
09:07 PM BST
47 minutes: Spurs 1 United 0
It is the Spurs fans making all the noise at the moment, and the team are defending their end in the second half. United are trying to feed Amad down their right, who was their best outlet in the second half.
09:05 PM BST
We’re back under way!
United get the second half started in need of improvement.
09:04 PM BST
The players are back out for the second half
No changes from either manager.
09:03 PM BST
They’ve had some practice at least
08:59 PM BST
James’ half-time verdict
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This looks and feels very much like 16th versus 17th in the Premier League and it’s probably fitting a scrappy own goal has given Spurs the lead in what has been a scrappy first half. United are going to have to up the ante in the second period - they’ve done that on a number of occasions in the Europa League and have plenty of experience of chasing games this season but there’s going to have to be an improvement on what they’ve shown so far. I don’t think it will be that long before the likes of Zirkzee and Garnacho are introduced.
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Tottenham Hotspur’s Destiny Udogie is held back from Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes - PA/Andrew Milligan
08:54 PM BST
Ryan Mason enjoyed that one
08:50 PM BST
HT: Spurs 1 United 0
Advantage Spurs, who are halfway to the Champions League and a first major trophy since 2008. There has been cigarette paper between the sides in a bitty half of football, but the trophy engraver does not have to paint any pictures when he inscribes the club’s name on the silverware. United have a storied history of European comebacks, including this season, and now need another.
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Tottenham fans celebrate - Reuters/Andrew Boyers
08:48 PM BST
45 minutes: Spurs 1 United 0
Two minutes of added time to play, and United have a free-kick to deliver into the box. Aimed by Fernandes at Maguire but Spurs clear, and then Vicario is more assured under the high ball to claim an aimless Amad cross. Spurs almost at the break.
08:47 PM BST
45 minutes: Spurs 1 United 0
Everyone watching this was starting to worry about how they had chosen to spend an evening, but that goal should open things up. United now have to open up, and Spurs have the speed to punish them on the break. There again, Spurs are not experts at soaking up pressure. Maybe now the goals will flow.
08:45 PM BST
GOOOOALLL! Johnson does it again for Spurs in this competition.. or is it an OG?
It was a messy finish befitting of the half, but the Spurs fans behind the goal are not worried about that. Bentancur set the ball back to Sarr on the left who whipped in an inswinging cross, which Johnson attacked with a dart across Luke Shaw.
Replays show the ball actually bounced off the upper arm of Shaw and squeezed between Onana and the post, with no other touch. That will surely be an own goal.
FIRST BLOOD SPURS!
It's scrappy but they won't care! Brennan Johnson claims it as he takes full advantage of carnage in the box to put Spurs ahead in the Europa League Final
@tntsports & @discoveryplusUKpic.twitter.com/l5Jg9BgYgr
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 21, 2025
08:43 PM BST
41 minutes: Spurs 0 United 0
Maguire injects some tempo into the game with a well-timed sliding challenge on Solanke but United quickly give the ball away again.
08:40 PM BST
38 minutes: Spurs 0 United 0
Leny Yoro is a lucky boy, taking an extra touch in his own penalty as he tried to dribble out of pressure but the ball bounced off Sarr back to Onana. Then Fernandes wins a foul in an aerial challenge on halfway. The first 15 minutes of this game were very watchable, but the contest has been stuck in a rut since.
08:38 PM BST
36 minutes: Spurs 0 United 0
Amad pulls back Udogie but the referee waves play on, before Fernandes fouls the left-back near the corner of the box with a needless foul. Under some duress from Richarilson, the referee goes back and shows Amad the yellow card.
Porro’s delivery has been good so far, but that one was dreadful. Then Solanke is penalised for a handball.
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Amad has been United’s most creative outlet thus far. Fernandes, similarly, is trying to get things going. If United are going to achieve a breakthrough that isn’t from a set-piece, it’s likely going to need to come from one of those two.
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Amad Diallo pulls the shirt of Destiny Udogie - Getty Images/Ander Gillenea
08:35 PM BST
33 minutes: Spurs 0 United 0
Bissouma goes down close the touchline looking for a foul, and Mazraoui’s knee did plant into the Tottenham’s players thigh. He stays down, looks like a classic dead leg. Hard to say if it was a foul or if Bissouma ran into Mazraoui deliberately to try and buy one.
08:32 PM BST
31 minutes: Spurs 0 United 0
Udogie was sent for some pinxtos far too easily by Amad who skipped his way into the Tottenham box but could not pick out a red shirt with the ball across. Romero stays down to receive some treatment after a collision with Hojlund. Fernandes’ cross is charged down by Sarr. United’s captain has been a little quiet so far by his high standards.
08:30 PM BST
28 minutes: Spurs 0 United 0
Strong defending from Maguire to deal with an awkward bouncing ball against Solanke. Betnancur picks up the pieces to keep Spurs on the front foot though, and Udogie’s cross is chested behind by Dorgu for a corner. There was nobody behind him, just needed a shout from Onana. Maybe there was one and he ignored it. Decent delivery from Porro but the ball will not drop for Spurs and United clear.
08:27 PM BST
26 minutes: Spurs 0 United 0
Dorgu gets in a foot in after Bissouma goes on a mazy run. The United wing-back then does well to battle with Porro and prevent Spurs winning a corner, before Johnson is penalised for a handball. Onana then kicks a long ball straight out of play.
08:25 PM BST
23 minutes: Spurs 0 United 0
Mount wins a free-kick for United, but Shaw’s delivery is far too deep. United keep Spurs pinned back by winning a throw though, before enjoying some possession in the Spurs half.
Solanke helps Spurs get out though, and the Spurs striker steps across Casemiro to win a foul on halfway.
08:23 PM BST
21 minutes: Spurs 0 United 0
When United’s wing-backs have the ball Porro and Udogie are jumping out to engage with them, with Bissouma or Bentancur filling in the full-back position. That could open up space around the edge of the D. Fernandes drills a low cross which Vicario is equal to, after some neat play from Amad in the box.
08:20 PM BST
18 minutes: Spurs 0 United 0
Enterprising play from Tottenham, with Udogie feeding Solanke and Richarlison testing Maguire with an inswinging cross. Both teams have had their moments, it is hard to separate them which chimes with the pre-match expectations.
08:19 PM BST
16 minutes: Spurs 0 United 0
Both teams look better going forward than they do at the back, Dorgu with a dangerous burst beyond Porro but Bentancur helps his mate out with a telling tackle. Dorgo ghosted in behind Porro again there, and Maguire picked him out with a diagonal pass, with Dorgu’s volleyed cross into the six-yard box cleared by Romero for a corner.
Chance! Vicario is not waving, he’s drowning from another corner, and the ball dropped for Amad he chopped to the right and smashed the ball across goal but wide of the far post. Just needed a deflection of any kind.
08:14 PM BST
13 minutes: Spurs 0 United 0
Tottenham are getting their teeth into this game now, and Johnson is leading the charge, smashing the ball at Onana from a tight angle after driving to the byline. Then Mazraoui is penalised for a clumsy challenge just to the left of the penalty area.
Whipped in by Porro, and Casemiro cleared against Mount but Richarlison’s shot from six yards out was blocked. United made a mess of that one. Spurs’ delivery, especially through Porro, looks dangerous.
08:11 PM BST
10 minutes: Spurs 0 United 0
Luke Shaw is short of minutes across the season, and if you are finding your legs then Brennan Johnson is not someone you want to face. The Spurs winger charges down Shaw to win Spurs a throw.
Then Porro delivers a delicious cross to the back post where Richarilson looked poised to head home but Mazraoui produced a vital defensive header to glance behind for a corner. Tottenham’s best moment so far.
Onana palms the deliver away, before Mount clears.
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Andre Onana punches clear - AP/Jose Breton
08:09 PM BST
8 minutes: Spurs 0 United 0
When United have the ball, Fernandes is splitting higher than Casemiro rather than playing on the same plane. Mount is pulling high and to the left, and the England international helps bring the ball to Hojlund who carries the ball forward to win a throw in Tottenham territory. Not much in the game, but United shading things so far.
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Manchester United’s Rasmus Hojlund up against Yves Bissouma - AP/Miguel Oses
08:07 PM BST
6 minutes: Spurs 0 United 0
Moments after that Udogie waft at the ball, Vicario is caught out in his own penalty area, coming out for a ball he was never getting. Fortunately, Hojlund latched onto the ball at a very tight angle, and after setting the ball back to Fernandes’ the United’s captain’s left-footed shot hit Amad.
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Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes shoots - Reuters/Juan Medina
08:06 PM BST
4 minutes: Spurs 0 United 0
Romero is penalised for climbing over Hojlund has he boomed a header back towards the halfway line. A little overzealous from the Argentine, but that is his style.
United put it in the mixer from the free-kick, Maguire won the knockdown at the back post and Udogie anxiously sliced the ball behind for a corner which Spurs then clear.
08:04 PM BST
2 minutes: Spurs 0 United 0
Spurs catch United offside early and settle into their first spell of possession, moving the ball across their defence with Vicario getting his first touch. Always something to tick off in a final.
Spurs look to utilise the pace of Johnson, and Luke Shaw hesitated a touch before clearing and the referee gives a corner. Shaw not happy, and the replays show he had a case: the ball bounced back off Johnson.
Predictably, the referee then blows for a foul by Van de Ven on Maguire. If in doubt as a ref...
08:02 PM BST
KICK OFF!
Tottenham, playing all in white, get the game started.
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Both teams huddled in the same end of the pitch. Tottenham decided to do it in front of their own fans, rather than get booed by the United supporters.
08:00 PM BST
Tifo watch
United fans have unfurled their tifo with the message “We’ve seen it all! and pastiches of their five captains to lift a European trophy.
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Harry Maguire, that is magnificent. The defender ran to the United end and did an air header right in front of them. Textbook. We need more of that. Much more of it.
07:58 PM BST
Here comes the teams
Bruno Fernandes leads out United, with Cristian Romero leading out Tottenham. Two quiet, unassuming lads when they are on the pitch, slow in coming forward....
A warm embrace between Amorim and Postecoglou, before the players line up for what is admittedly the catchy Europa League anthem.
07:56 PM BST
Both teams are in the tunnel
Ruben Amorim is leaning on a wall behind the United players looking as relaxed as he can be. There is nothing better visually than a stadium split in half by contrasting colours in a final.
07:52 PM BST
Both fans in full voice
He’s no Miles Davis, but that guy with the trumpet is geeing up the Spurs fans with a rendition of “Oh when the Spurs” to the tune of Oh When The Saints Go Marching In. United fans are signing their usual pre-match song to the tune of John Denver’s Take Me Home, Country Roads. Both ends have a flag display.
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The Tottenham end in Bilbao - Reuters/Juan Medina
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Manchester United fans waving flags - Reuters/Juan Medina
07:42 PM BST
Assessing the two teams head-to-head
Postecoglou has picked a very robust midfield of Bentancur, Bissouma and Sarr, not that he had many options.
As ever, Spurs possess plenty of speed off the shoulder with Johnson, Solanke and Richarilson. There is a theory that United’s European form can be accounted for by less physical and intense opposition, and Spurs have the advantage there. I think Richarlison has been picked in the expectation of United’s defence dropping deep because, as he showed against Bodo/Glimt, he is an aerial threat.
For United, and every team who plays Spurs, the space on offer is down the sides of the two centre-backs when the full-backs disappear into midfield. With that in mind, I thought Amorim might go with Amad and Garnacho but the Argentine is on the bench.
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Dominic Solanke shoots in the warm up - Getty Images/Michael Steele
07:38 PM BST
One of the bright spots since his return from injury
07:37 PM BST
Both ends of the stadium filling up
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07:33 PM BST
United fan Rory McIlroy is in attendance
Fresh from an emotional farewell to Goodison Park, Wayne Rooney has his other cap on tonight alongside the Masters champion.
07:32 PM BST
The warm ups now well under way
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Andre Onana makes a save in the warm up - AP/Bernat Armangue
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Tottenham’s players warm up - Getty Images/Josep Lago
07:28 PM BST
United winning the battle of the music
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We’ve just had some Stone Roses for the United fans, so where’s the Chas & Dave?
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A Manchester United fan wearing the club’s 1998-99 Treble kit - Getty Images/Justin Setterfield
07:28 PM BST
Two fierce critics of United shake hands with Ratcliffe
07:13 PM BST
A record on the line tonight
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Even the PA announcer is getting involved in the Postecoglou narrative. Introducing Tottenham’s highlights from their Europa League run, the announcer said that the question on everyone’s lips is whether the head coach will maintain his record of winning a trophy in his second season in charge.
07:12 PM BST
Amorim’s pre-match thoughts
07:12 PM BST
Maddison, who is injured, speaking on TNT
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James Maddison in Bilbao - PA/Andrew Milligan
07:09 PM BST
Postecoglou with a revealing answer when asked about the fans
07:08 PM BST
Postecoglou speaking pre-match
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Postecoglou with Ossie Ardiles - Getty Images/Carl Recine
07:02 PM BST
A smattering of neutrals in the crowd
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There appear to be quite a few Athletic Bilbao fans in the crowd. This final, of course, is in their home stadium and it was a crushing disappointment to them that they lost the semi-final to Manchester United. Still some of their supporters appear to have decided to hold onto their tickets rather than cash in on them to desperate United and Tottenham Hotspur fans. The going rate? Reliably informed that £750 a ticket, having come down in the past few days, was regarded as a reasonable price such was the demand.
06:59 PM BST
Garnacho’s Instagram story
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Alejandro Garnacho will doubtless be aggrieved not to be starting the final. Mason Mount had not started a game this year before the Brentford match earlier this month but gets the nod over Garnacho. The Argentina forward has posted what could be viewed as a fairly pointed message on his Instagram stories with an image of him scoring in the FA Cup final victory over Manchester City last month.
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06:52 PM BST
United team news: Yoro starts at the back, Fernandes deeper rather than Ugarte
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The surprise starter for United is Mason Mount, who is preferred in one of the two No 10 positions to Alejandro Garnacho. Luke Shaw hadn’t started a United game for 14 months until the Bournemouth game three and a half weeks ago but he’s given a start in a back three here by Amorim alongside Maguire and Leny Yoro, who is passed fit enough to start. Rasmus Hojlund gets the nod upfront, despite his woeful form.
It's all led to this.
Do us proud, Reds#MUFC || #UELfinal
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 21, 2025
06:48 PM BST
Tottenham team news: Richarlison preferred to Son
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Tottenham have brought their entire squad with them to Bilbao, even those who are injured or had no chance of being part of the matchday squad. James Maddison has been filling his time by making a guest appearance on the television coverage. The team news is out and Heung-Min Son will start on the bench for Spurs. That’s a surprise, but Postecoglou’s team have been statistically better with Richarlison playing this season, as I explored in this piece here.
06:45 PM BST
Fergie in attendance
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Sir Alex Ferguson has emerged pitchside to widespread applause from the Manchester United fans - who broke off from singing along to Bonnie Tyler’s It’s a Heartache - after noticing their former manager was at the stadium.
The Glazer family are expected to be out in force for the final. On the VIP guest list are Avram and Joel who are joined by relatives Aerin, Shari, Ed, Jill, Kendall and Libby. Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is also here, of course.
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Sir Alex Ferguson pitchside in Bilbao - Getty Images/Alex Pantling
06:39 PM BST
Gareth Bale on Tottenham’s season
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Postecoglou arrives with Spurs - Getty Images/Michael Regan
06:35 PM BST
United’s players have arrived
They are wearing dark suits with thin red ties as they step off the coach.
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Alejandro Garnacho arrives - Getty Images/Michael Regan
06:33 PM BST
A Spurs fan burns the United side of a half-and-half scarf
06:32 PM BST
Courtesy of James Ducker... a United fan smoking a flare
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One United fan enjoying himself in Bilbao - James Ducker
06:28 PM BST
The accessory of choice for any self-respecting player
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Now the first sighting of the Spurs players on the pitch as they wander out on to the playing surface to cheers from one end and jeers from the other. Mathys Tel is wearing headphones but also talking to Wilson Odobert, which may suggest they are being used as a fashion accessory rather than to listen to some Chas & Dave.
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Tottenham’s players on the pitch at San Mames - Getty Images/Michael Steele
06:23 PM BST
Tottenham’s players have arrived
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Supporters are starting to filter into the stadium. It’s still relatively quiet in here, but you can see that Manchester United fans will have flags to wave ahead of kick-off. There may also be something on the chairs of the Spurs fans, but it’s hard to be sure from where I am sitting. We’re getting pictures on our screens of the Tottenham squad getting off the team bus wearing navy blue suits with white t-shirts. Very smart. Ange Postecoglou has opted for his own navy blue polo neck t-shirt.
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Heung-min Son is back from injury for Tottenham - Getty Images/Michael Regan
06:21 PM BST
Paul Scholes is backing United (shock!)
06:16 PM BST
Raphael Varane is there to support United
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Former Real Madrid and Manchester United defender Raphael Varane - Getty Images/Justin Setterfield
06:15 PM BST
The strangest final ever?
That is the verdict of Jason Burt, as United and Spurs try to salvage glory from ignominy.
06:04 PM BST
Gareth Bale is part of TNT Sports’ team for tonight
Their initial vantage point on the coverage is just outside the stadium overlooking the surrounding streets where the fans are gathered. Dimitar Berbatov, who has a foot in both camps, is there too alongside Rio Ferdinand, who has both feet in one camp.
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TNT Sport pundits Rio Ferdinand, Gareth Bale and Dimitar Berbatov - PA/Andrew Milligan
06:01 PM BST
That looks the bar of choice for Spurs fans
Some cursory research suggests that bar on the right is built into some kind of adult education or training centre. Anyone turning up for a 7pm class be might be struggling. It is just around the corner from San Mamés.
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Tottenham Hotspur fans gathering ahead of the final - Reuters/Pankra Nieto
05:55 PM BST
The brilliance of Fernandes
I do not think many football watchers would dispute that Manchester United’s captain is the one elite player on either side. For all the complaints about his histrionics or a risk-reward dial turned slightly too far towards the cavalier, James Ducker writes that he would grace any United side. He is both peerlessly durable and productive.
05:49 PM BST
Predictions
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Gary Neville and Roy Keane have both predicted Manchester United will lift the Europa League trophy. Neville said on Sky Sports: “I just think, come the crunch, come the final, United’s history in finals and even winning a few cups in the last few years, you’d like to think they have a bit more knowledge around the big game more than Spurs.”
But Alan Shearer was less optimistic about United’s chances. Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast Shearer predicted the game to go to penalties, with Spurs coming out on top over United. Gary Lineker also tipped his former side to do the business over United. “I’m going to have to go for Spurs, I couldn’t not,” Lineker said on the podcast.
You can find out who Telegraph Football writers are backing by clicking here.
05:43 PM BST
Van De Ven’s crime-fighting father
This Sam Dean exclusive reveals that Micky van De Ven’s father Marcel was a special forces operative with the Dutch police. “I did operations against serious crime,” Marcel, who trained with the SAS, told Telegraph Sport. “You learn how to act under stress, how to handle distractions, how to stay with your task. If you can handle stress, you can focus. We call it accepting the chaos.”
If father is anything like son, any criminals attempting to flee on foot would not have stood a chance.
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Micky Van de Ven with his father Marcel - Micky Van de Ven
05:38 PM BST
Antony and Marcus Rashford could get a medal
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Despite currently playing for other clubs, the two United loanees would both be eligible for Europa League winners’ medals should Amorim’s side come out on top tonight. Uefa medal regulation states that the winning team receives 50 medals, 12 of which can be given out at the club’s discretion.
Marcus Rashford made six Europa League appearances for United this season, managing a goal and an assist against Porto. Anthony, who played four times totalling 127 minutes, could even become a double European champion if Real Betis beat Chelsea in the Conference League final.
05:36 PM BST
These fans are taking no chances
Sensibly, given Uefa’s laughable attitude to crowd management, these Spurs fans are in position at San Mamés well ahead of time.
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Tottenham fans in their seats - AP/Nick Potts
05:32 PM BST
Scuffles between fans last night
The atmosphere in Bilbao seems fairly convivial for now, but there was some trouble in San Sebastián last night. It was a fairly familiar scene, with one fan wielding the weapon of choice for the Englishman abroad: a piece of white plastic furniture.
Spanish media claimed Tottenham supporters destroyed traffic lights in Bilbao and were “losing control” in the streets.
News agency EFE said supporters had become difficult to control and that they had “taken over” the city.
Credit: @Ebuka_Snake/X
05:27 PM BST
Flying the flag
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It’s fair to say United fans are making their presence felt in Bilbao.
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United fans fly flags from the scaffolding in Plaza Nueva - James Ducker
05:22 PM BST
Some Atletic Club fans joining in the festivities
There have been reports that the locals have been none to impressed with some fan behaviour, but these two Atletic Club fans seem happy enough to mingle with los gringos.
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Atletic Club fans in Nueva Plaza - Getty Images/Michael Steele
05:17 PM BST
Evra’s emotional message
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The Manchester United legend revealed he would miss tonight’s game to attend his sister’s funeral, who had been battling cancer for 20 years. Evra signed off his announcement video with a call to arms for the United players: “Bleed for this shirt. For the fans, for the staff, for the people in Manchester, for the fans all around the world. There’s no excuse. This is your duty tomorrow.”
I BELIEVE IN YOU GUYS@ManUtd#ilovethisgame#positive4evra#forevraredpic.twitter.com/R0sO1yFHTn
— Patrice Evra (@Evra) May 20, 2025
05:14 PM BST
Spurs fans have filled the Ametzola Park fan zone
There is a stage at the front and one wonders about the music on offer. Chas and Dave, Barry Manilow and Diamond Lights we can only assume. Maybe some Men at Work in honour of Ange Postecoglou. Men Out Of Work might soon be more appropriate. So long as Tears of a Clown is not given a spin ...
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Spurs fans at the Ametzola Park fan zone - PA/Adam Davy
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05:08 PM BST
‘Six teams would be an absurdity’
The winners of tonight’s final will join the Premier League’s top five in next season’s Champions League. It was once contentious when a tournament previously reserved for league winners was expanded to include two, three, and then four teams from the big leagues. Six would be unprecedented and would present logistical challenges. Clubs from the same association are not supposed to play each other in the league phase. The six Premier League teams will play eight games each in a 36-team tournament. You do the maths.
As Jim White writes here, it is part of the slow dilution of Europe’s Premier club competition.
05:02 PM BST
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05:00 PM BST
United and Spurs’ season comes down to one night in Bilbao
It seems grossly unfair for a club’s entire season to be defined by one 90 minutes, but that is the unavoidable predicament facing Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur going into tonight’s Europa League final.
Losing a final is always painful, but sometimes offers forms of consolation: the wins along the away in a cup run for example, or the promise of greater success next season. That is not the case this evening. The losing finalists will be left with nothing, in every sense. No trophy, no Champions League qualification, no increase in revenues, and only a historically bad Premier League season on which to reflect during a long, bitter summer. Defeat could also prompt managerial change, especially in the case of Ange Postecoglou.
That has informed the sense that this game is more about looming negative consequences rather than the prize on offer, though Spurs supporters would dispute that. They have enjoyed several seasons in the Champions League in recent memory, including an appearance in the 2019 final. Major silverware has been absent since the 2008 League Cup though, a barren run of such infamy there is an X account tallying up the days since Tottenham’s last trophy. The total stands at 6,296.
The opposite is probably true for United, who have lifted pots in each of the last two seasons but need Champions League revenues to fund the rejuvenation of the squad Ruben Amorim requires. Haphazard spending on transfer fees and wages and a decline in league position has put the club on a difficult financial footing in the PSR era. That has brought talks of selling academy graduates such as Kobbie Mainoo or Alejandro Garnacho. Win tonight and Amorim might be offered a shortcut in his rebuild, lose and it could stall further.
Tottenham have won this competition twice, in 1972 and 1984, while United did so in 2017 under Jose Mourinho. They lost the 2021 final on penalties to Villarreal, a result from which Ole Gunnar Solskjaer never quite recovered.
Spurs are without James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski through injury. United were handed a surprise boost as Lenny Yoro, Diogo Dalot and Joshua Zirkzee all trained this week. Amorim’s dilemma will be whether to stick with Rasmus Hojlund, whose form has been stuck in a rut.
We should get team news closer to 7pm.
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