Tottenham Hotspur have ended their 17-year trophy drought, defeating Manchester United 1-0 in the Europa League final in Bilbao.
In truth, this was a fairly dreadful game of football between two very poor teams. Neither side seemed to offer any sort of attacking threat, creating very few chances of note.
There was a general lack of quality all around the pitch. Considering this, it was perhaps fitting that the winning goal was a very scrappy 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 & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/l5Jg9BgYgr
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 21, 2025
Manchester United would dominate the ball in the second half, although they did not threaten all that much. Outside of a goal line clearance from Micky van de Ven, they rarely troubled the Spurs goal.
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It was a special night for Spurs, who will now quickly forget their struggles in the league over the last nine months. As for their opponents, it is difficult to tell where they will go from here.
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Rio Ferdinand had ironic reaction to Spurs Europa League winner
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While Spurs had already beaten Manchester United three times this season, there was a remarkable level of confidence amongst United's former playing contingent. The likes of Roy Keane, Gary Neville, and Paul Scholes were incredibly sure that their old team would emerge victorious in Bilbao.
Rio Ferdinand could also be included in that group, although he was given a reality in Bilbao tonight.
The former England defender has come in for some heavy criticism for his commentary on Manchester United games on TNT Sports this season, so quite a few football fans will have taken some pleasure in his reaction to the Brennan Johnson winner.
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Stop what you’re doing and watch Rio and Bale’s goal reaction 🤣 pic.twitter.com/454gwvSiKe
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 21, 2025
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The 46-year old has a habit of attempting to produce viral clips during his punditry appearances, but this is one he will want to quickly forget.
Nobody will forget that infamous 'Ballon d'Or' clip that he produced during last year's Champions League final, and while Rio Ferdinand wanted to have a similar moment in tonight's game, it backfired massively.
Speaking after the game, he questioned the decision to leave Alejandro Garnacho on the bench to start the final.
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That's why I would question the selection today for Man United. Ruben Amorim spoke about bringing Mason Mount in to thicken it up in midfield, but we didn't have anyone running in behind.
Garnacho done that all season when he was playing. Whether you like him in terms of his finishing and his end product, but he does give you that threat in stretching teams.
At no point in this game really were Spurs stretched in that sense.
Ruben Amorim will certainly come under some heavy criticism on the back of this game. Manchester United have been abysmal under his tutelage this season, essentially punting on their league campaign in search of Europa League glory.
To then produce a complete no show in the final will rightly result in plenty of questions about his long-term future at the club.
SEE ALSO: Roy Keane Seemed To Immediately Regret Decision To Appear On CBS For UEL Final