BRENNAN JOHNSON etched his name into European football history last night as his solitary strike secured a 1-0 victory for Tottenham Hotspur over Manchester United in the Europa League final. The Cymru international’s decisive contribution at San Mamés ended Spurs’ 17-year wait for a major trophy and consigned United to yet another bitterly disappointing night on the continental stage.
In a game that seldom sparked to life, it was Johnson who delivered the crucial moment just before half-time. Darting ahead of Luke Shaw at the near post, the 22-year-old met Pape Matar Sarr’s curling cross with a touch that wrong-footed United goalkeeper Andre Onana. As the ball looped goalward off Shaw, Johnson made absolutely sure, prodding it over the line before wheeling away in celebration in front of the jubilant Spurs support.
It was not a classic final by any stretch. The match was scrappy, ill-tempered and often devoid of quality — a far cry from the pedigree associated with these two clubs. Yet, for Spurs and their long-suffering fans, none of that mattered. Johnson’s goal delivered not just a trophy, but a psychological release. For too long labelled “Spursy” — a byword for collapse and underachievement — Tottenham now have tangible proof of progress.
Manager Ange Postecoglou, overseeing his 100th match in charge, had come under pressure in recent weeks. But the Australian has now delivered silverware in just his second season — as he confidently predicted he would — and sealed a return to the Champions League for a side that only managed 17th place in the Premier League.
Johnson, a product of Nottingham Forest’s academy and now a rising star for Wales, has often been praised for his work rate and composure, but here he showed a predator’s instinct and the poise required at the highest level. His performance stood out in a largely drab contest, offering glimpses of threat whenever Spurs surged forward.
Tottenham were without key creative players — James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Lucas Bergvall all sidelined — and Son Heung-min started on the bench. Richarlison was given the nod up front and twice went close early on, but it was Johnson who made the difference in a moment of rare cohesion for either side.
Manchester United, meanwhile, were abject. With club legend Sir Alex Ferguson watching on, their display lacked energy, purpose and pride. It was a performance symptomatic of a club mired in dysfunction. This was their one realistic shot at salvaging a dire campaign, and they failed dismally.
New co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and manager Ruben Amorim face an enormous rebuilding job. A squad assembled at great expense looked disjointed and uninspired. Striker Rasmus Højlund, once again, looked isolated and ineffective — his one clear header was superbly cleared off the line by Micky van de Ven after a fumble from Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.
Spurs could have made the game safe in the second half when Yves Bissouma broke clear but misjudged a pass to Dominic Solanke, allowing United to escape punishment. Postecoglou, head in hands, knew his side had passed up a golden opportunity. But in the end, Johnson’s strike proved enough.
For Tottenham, the long years of frustration — watching rivals like Leicester, Swansea and West Ham lift silverware — are finally over. For Johnson and for Wales, it’s a moment of immense pride. A Cymru international has scored the winner in a European final. That, surely, is the start of something bigger.
