Spurs Clinch Europa League, End 17-Year Drought

On Wednesday, Tottenham Hotspur won the Europa League final in Bilbao, Spain, defeating Manchester United 1-0.

Spurs won their first cup in seventeen years thanks to the win.

As the squad seems to have eliminated the reputation for failing to complete important games, Tottenham players and supporters in white were tearing up at the end of the game at Athletic Bilbao's Estadio de San Mamés.

Spurs are having a historic moment as they win their first continental championship since the 1983–84 season and the club's first trophy since 2008. The north London team celebrated the victory as though it were their first prize in over 20 years, having worked to overcome the perception that they are "nearly good enough" for the past ten years.

Due to the poor first half, no team was able to establish any real goal opportunities or gain control of the match. Spurs' Brennan Johnson, a midfielder, scored late in the half.

Spurs' best scorer in all competitions, Pape Sarr, blasted a right-footed cross into the box in the 42nd minute. Luke Shaw of Manchester United deflected the ball, and Spurs' top scorer gave it a small touch.

Just before halftime, the Welshman's tenacious goal drove Tottenham supporters into a frenzy, while red-clad supporters sat there feeling sad.

The second half was the match's high point, or at least its most athletic. Micky Van de Ven had a flash of genius as United pressed for an equalizer.

Rasmus Højlund of Manchester United directed an uncontested header into an unguarded net following a mishandled free-kick by Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario. However, the Dutchman filled the void with an impressive scissor kick goal clearance to maintain the lead in the 62nd minute.

Vicario later made amends by saving Alejandro Garnacho with a brilliant stretch save, and then Luke Shaw with an even greater save in the closing minutes to keep the victory and the clean sheet.

Even if the teams' recent domestic achievements have been appalling, Tottenham's victory in the tournament guarantees them a spot in the Champions League, the continent's elite club competition, for the upcoming season.

As both English teams have suffered greatly in the Premier League, they have been living in painful parallel universes.

With 21 losses so far this season, Tottenham sits in seventeenth place in the table, while Manchester United is one spot above in 16th place with only four league victories since the start of the year.

Ange Postecoglou, the manager of Spurs, was particularly pleased with the accomplishment because he has been heavily criticized for the team's Premier League play this season. The Australian, now in his 2nd season with the North London club, anticipated this achievement last year.

In his second season as manager, Postecoglou has won cups and crowns in past stints.

For Son Heung-min, the championship was a historic accomplishment. Spurs said during the game that he was the 1st South Korean club captain to guide his squad to a major European prize.