Tottenham Hotspur captain Heung-Min Son proudly raised the UEFA Europa League trophy amid a shower of golden confetti in Bilbao on Wednesday night, following the club’s momentous 1-0 victory over Manchester United in the tournament final.
The South Korean forward, who joined Spurs from Bayer Leverkusen nearly a decade ago and assumed the captaincy in 2023, entered the match as a second-half substitute but took center stage during the celebrations. Cristian Romero, who led the team out as starting captain, was named Player of the Match by UEFA for his commanding defensive performance.
This triumph marks Tottenham’s first major trophy since their League Cup victory in 2008, ending a 17-year European silverware drought that stretches back to their UEFA Cup success in 1984. The victory represents a significant milestone in Ange Postecoglou’s first season as manager, validating chairman Daniel Levy’s decision to appoint the Australian following his successful stint at Celtic.
Brennan Johnson’s 63rd-minute strike proved decisive in a tightly contested final. The Welsh international, a £47.5 million summer signing from Nottingham Forest, justified his price tag with the most important goal of his career, latching onto James Maddison’s precise through ball before finishing clinically past André Onana.
The triumph caps a remarkable European campaign for Spurs, who eliminated heavyweights like Benfica and Roma en route to the final. Their success is particularly impressive considering the squad overhaul following Harry Kane’s departure to Bayern Munich last summer.
Postecoglou’s attacking philosophy has transformed the team’s identity, moving away from the more pragmatic approaches of previous managers José Mourinho and Antonio Conte. The Australian’s emphasis on front-foot football has resonated with supporters who had grown frustrated with the club’s cautious tactical approach in recent years.
As players celebrated with their families on the pitch, the significance of this achievement was evident in the emotional reactions of long-serving squad members like Son and Eric Dier. For Tottenham’s loyal fanbase, this victory potentially signals the beginning of a new, trophy-laden era under Postecoglou’s progressive leadership.
