A final between two teams who have struggled in the Premier League would be decided in detail, and so it was at the San Mamés Stadium, with Tottenham ending their 17-year run without titles and 41 years without international success. With a 1-0 win over Manchester United, Spurs got their season back on track.
The first half at the San Mamés ended up confirming expectations of a game with very little attacking creativity and a lot of division in midfield. There was plenty of intensity and desire for both teams, but Tottenham always looked the closer to scoring and the 41st minute saw the Spurs win the eternal prize.
In the 41st minute, Tottenham found the net through a cross into the area, when Sarr received the ball on his left and had space to cross on his right. Luke Shaw couldn't cut it out and Johnson could have pushed the ball into the net from the edge of the box. However, the replay showed that there may have been an own goal for the Red Devils, but the certainty is that Onana needed to be in a better position to save the goal.
Needing a result in the second half, Manchester United reverted to a 4-4-2 formation, betting heavily on their attacking impetus, while Tottenham opted to hold on defensively and concentrate on winning the game on the counter-attack. The goal almost came after Vicario failed to clear a free-kick, but Hojlund stopped Van der ven's save on the line.
Manchester United's pressure gradually increased and Garnacho also had a great chance to score with a low shot, but Vicario made a good save. However, their creativity became limited as time went on and random crosses became the standard for Manchester United, who saw goalkeeper Vicario make a sensational save in the final minute from Shaw's header to hold on for the win.
Do Tottenham need to move on from Ange Postecoglou?
Regardless of the decision to sack or keep Ange Postecoglou, the embattled manager has made Tottenham history by winning Spurs their third continental title in history and ending a long run of titles, something that other established managers have failed to do. However, Spurs need to step up their game if they want to be competitive in the next UEFA Champions League in 2025/26.