Tottenham Hotspur have ended their 17-year trophy drought by defeating Manchester United 1-0 in the Europa League final held in Bilbao on Wednesday night.

Brennan Johnson emerged as the hero for Spurs, scoring the only goal of the match in the first half when he capitalized on a loose ball in the penalty area and slotted it past Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana.

The victory marks Tottenham's first European trophy in 40 years and their first piece of silverware since 2008, ending a barren run of 17 years and 86 days without a major trophy.

Both teams entered the final looking to salvage something positive from what has been described as a disappointing season for both clubs. The Europa League trophy also carried the additional prize of securing a place in next season's Champions League for the winner.

Manchester United, under the guidance of Ruben Amorim, mounted a strong comeback after the break. Bruno Fernandes delivered a dangerous free-kick that found Leny Yoro, but Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario made a spectacular save to maintain his team's lead.

In another crucial moment, Spurs defender Micky van de Ven made an acrobatic goal-line clearance to deny Rasmus Hojlund's header, which would have leveled the score for Manchester United.

Despite United's increased pressure in the second half, Tottenham's defense held firm to secure the historic victory, which not only ends their trophy drought but also guarantees them a spot in next season's Champions League competition.

The triumph represents a significant milestone for Tottenham, who have faced criticism in recent years for failing to convert their promising performances into tangible success.