Tottenham was crowned champion of the UEFA Europa League by defeating Manchester United by the minimum score this Wednesday in the final held at the iconic San Mamés stadium in Bilbao, thanks to an own goal by Luke Shaw, a reflection of the lackluster match between two English teams that finished at the bottom of the Premier League standings.
Thanks to this title, Tottenham secured a spot in the Champions League for the next season and also ended a 17-year title drought in England or Europe.
How did Tottenham’s victory come about?
The team from North London strengthened in the midfield, found the goal with their only shot on target in the first half, with some luck and collaboration from Luke Shaw, and in the second half they knew how to endure.
The English final in Bilbao featured two teams that had been disastrous in the recent Premier League, placed 16th and 17th, just above the three teams that were relegated.
The first half was more about the “Spurs” with set-piece plays, crosses from the Spaniard Pedro Porro, and nerves from United. However, there were no clear chances, not even for the “Red Devils”, who posed some threat up front with Amad Diallo.
At 42 minutes, Pape Sarr intercepted a pass from the Portuguese Bruno Fernandes and ended up delivering a dangerous cross that resulted in the 1-0 goal.
After the visit to the locker room, United’s return was not decisive.
After the meeting time had passed, Manchester United came close to equalizing on several occasions, especially when Micky van de Ven made a spectacular move to clear the ball with a flying kick just when it seemed like the game was going to be tied. The last chance for United was a header by Shaw in injury time which was deflected by goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.
With the final whistle, San Mamés sealed the disastrous campaign of a United in low years, without Europe next season, and sorted out the life of the “Spurs”, in their fourth consecutive victory over the Manchester team.
The “Spurs” ended a negative streak
The Bilbao one is Tottenham’s first title since they won the League Cup final against Chelsea in February 2008 at Wembley.
Internationally, the “Spurs” had not been champions since 1984, when they won on penalties in the UEFA Cup final against Anderlecht from Belgium. This is Tottenham’s fourth European title, adding to another UEFA Cup in 1972 and the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1963.