The Build-Up
Both Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United entered the 2025 UEFA Europa League final with redemption on their minds. Domestically, each had endured a disappointing Premier League season and had been knocked out of all domestic cup competitions, leaving the Europa League as their last shot at silverware and a crucial route back into the UEFA Champions League.
Manchester United arrived in Bilbao with confidence, having gone unbeaten throughout their Europa League campaign up to the final. This was a sign of their consistency on the European stage this season, despite their struggles in the league. Tottenham, on the other hand, had suffered two defeats on their journey, one in the league phase and another in the Round of 16, but showed resilience and tactical growth as the competition progressed. With both sides desperate to salvage their seasons and eyeing redemption and continental glory, the stage was set for a tense and meaningful final in Bilbao to restore pride and secure their place among Europe’s elite.
Journey to Bilbao: Comparing the Finalists’ Runs
How did Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur stack up on their road to the final? We compared their campaigns in numbers through 3 lenses, namely (i) Attack, (ii) Passing, and (iii) Defense, in the gallery below.
Attacking Output: a quick look at six per-game metrics, namely goals, big chances, total shots, shots on target, successful dribbles, and corners. Their threat on counter-attacks is also considered.
Passing / Possession: a quick look at ball possession, as well as passing accuracy across five areas: overall, own half, opposition half, long balls, and crosses — all expressed as percentages.
Defending: a look at key defensive metrics, namely tackles, interceptions, ball recoveries, clean sheets, and last-man tackles. Errors leading to shots or goals** are also included.
** The errors are shown inversely so that, like the other metrics, higher values reflect better performance.
While Man Utd edged ahead offensively and Spurs showed more solidity at the back, the two sides appear closely matched overall based on in-game metrics, and the final seemed to translate into a tight contest.
Kickoff!
With a sharp blast of the whistle, referee Felix Zwayer signaled the kickoff at San Mamés. Thirty minutes into the match, both teams were fairly evenly matched in terms of chances. The game remained tight, with no clear indication of who would come out on top. The decisive moment came in the 42nd minute when Brennan Johnson redirected a cross from Pape Matar Sarr, with the ball deflecting off United defender Luke Shaw before entering the net. This goal made Johnson the first Welshman to score in a Europa League final since Fulham’s Simon Davies in 2010.
Despite United dominating possession with 73% and registering 16 shots, Tottenham’s defense, led by Man of the Match Cristian Romero, remained resolute. Romero’s performance included eight clearances and a 93% pass accuracy, effectively neutralizing United’s attacking threats. It’s worth noting that Van de Ven’s goal-line clearance and Vicario’s crucial save to deny Luke Shaw’s header were decisive moments in securing Tottenham’s victory.
Manager Ange Postecoglou’s strategic shift from his usual attacking style to a more pragmatic approach paid dividends, as Spurs secured their first major trophy since 2008 (their first European trophy in over four decades) and qualified for the 2025–26 UEFA Champions League.
For Manchester United, the defeat capped a disappointing season, finishing 15th in the Premier League and missing out on Champions League qualification.
What will be etched in memory after this encounter?
- Ange Postecoglou becomes the first-ever Australian manager to feature in a UEL final
- Since Amad Diallo was booked in the 35th minute, just four UEL finals remain without a first-half yellow card: Atletico Madrid vs Fulham (2010), Chelsea vs Arsenal (2019), Villarreal vs Manchester United (2021), and Eintracht Frankfurt vs Rangers (2022)
- Brennan Johnson becomes the second Welsh player to score in a UEL final
- Cristian Romero is the second Argentine to win the Man of the Match award in a UEL final, after Éver Banega in the 2014–15 final
- Manchester United have joined Liverpool as the team with the most European final defeats (4) in the 21st century.
These numbers and records are drawn from the competition’s era since its 2008 rebranding (formerly the UEFA Cup).
Usually in my second season I win things
Ange Postecoglou
Indeed, Ange has won a title in his second season at the clubs he has managed so far.
- Australian Champion with Brisbane Roar (10/11)
- Japanese Champion with Yokohama F. Marinos (18/19)
- Scottish Champion; Scottish league cup & cup winner (22/23)
- Europa League winner with Tottenham Hotspur (24/25)
ChroniBall XI
Where football meets data, stories, and everything in between
Enjoyed this piece? Follow us on X and Tiktok for more insights, visuals, and updates.
ChroniBall XI 
Leave a comment