"The first Korean captain to lead a team to the top in Europe."
Tottenham defeated Manchester United 1-0 in the 2024-2025 UEFA Europa League final held at San Mamés in Bilbao, Spain, on the 22nd (Korean time). After taking the lead with an own goal from the opponent in the 42nd minute of the first half, they maintained the lead to reach the pinnacle of European competition.
This victory was a meaningful moment in the history of the Tottenham club. After 17 years without a trophy since the League Cup in the 2007-2008 season, Tottenham has finally ended their long wait for a title and achieved their third UEFA Europa League victory (1971-1972, 1983-1984, 2024-2025) on the European stage. At the same time, they secured a spot in the next season's UEFA Champions League.
Immediately after the match, Tottenham's official website highlighted Son Heung-min, praising him with the phrase, "The first Korean captain to lead a team to the top in Europe." Fans online also gave enthusiastic applause to Son Heung-min and glorified his achievement.
Since joining Tottenham in 2015, Son Heung-min has experienced numerous goals, assists, and moments of glory, but he had yet to lift a trophy. The Europa League was not an easy quest either. A foot injury sustained in the second leg of the quarterfinals was worse than expected, and Son had to dedicate nearly a month to recovery.
Just before the final, Coach Postecoglou checked Son Heung-min's condition by fielding him in two Premier League matches. However, he ultimately decided to keep him on the bench for that day’s match. Son accepted this decision calmly, and when he was substituted in the 67th minute, he integrated perfectly into the team's tactics, contributing defensively from a deeper position than before.
The BBC noted, "It was impressive to see Son Heung-min avoiding a sprinkler while warming up and heading toward the locker room," adding, "It's still hard to believe he was excluded from the starting lineup. Son has been an indispensable presence at Tottenham for years. Even if he wasn't 100%, he should have been on the field."
The match was anything but easy. Manchester United launched fierce attacks from the start. Quick and sharp attackers like Bruno Fernandes, Amad Diallo, and Rasmus Hojlund troubled the Tottenham defense. Tottenham struggled in the midfield and spent the majority of the first half on the defensive.
However, in the 42nd minute of the first half, a low cross from Pape Sarr deflected off a defender and fell to Brennan Johnson. Johnson scored the decisive goal without hesitation, which ultimately determined the outcome.
After Son Heung-min was brought on, the flow of the game changed. Coach Postecoglou aimed to stabilize the game's tempo with his experience and speed, while dispersing the opponent's attacks in the second half. Son focused more on defensive roles, showcasing his experience in protecting the ball and stalling time. Particularly during the seven minutes of injury time in the second half, Son blocked Manchester United's final attacks with his body, fulfilling his role as the last line of defense for the victory.
After the match, Son Heung-min wrapped himself in the Taegeukgi and shed tears of joy in the embrace of Dejan Kulusevski. His tearful moment with his head bowed in front of the trophy was not just an expression of emotion but a condensation of a tumultuous 15-year journey.
This victory in the Europa League is not just a trophy from a single competition. It embodies the historical significance of Tottenham's escape from being trophyless, the completion of Son Heung-min's career, and the first major tournament victory for a Korean captain in Europe.
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