27.7%. This is the ball possession percentage recorded by Tottenham Hotspur against Manchester United.
Tottenham Hotspur won 1-0 against Manchester United in the 2024-2025 season UEFA Europa League final held at Estadio San Mamés in Bilbao, Spain, on the 22nd (Korean time).
With this victory, Tottenham successfully broke a 17-year trophy drought since the 2007-2008 season League Cup. At the same time, Son Heung-min achieved his career's first major trophy, shaking off the disappointment of being a runner-up in the 2018-2019 season UEFA Champions League after six years.
It was a critical 'match' for both Tottenham and Manchester United, as Champions League qualification was at stake. Tottenham had the opportunity to win their first title in 17 years, while Manchester United was assessed to have revenue exceeding 100 million pounds on the line.
Tottenham lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Richarlison, Dominic Solanke, and Brennan Johnson occupied the front line, while Yves Bissouma, Pape Sarr, and Rodrigo Bentancur filled the midfield. Destiny Udogie, Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero, and Pedro Porro made up the back four, with Guglielmo Vicario guarding the goal. Son Heung-min waited on the bench.
Manchester United faced off in a 3-4-3 formation. Mason Mount, Rasmus Hojlund, and Amad Diallo were at the front, while Patrick Dorrugu, Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, and Noussair Mazraoui occupied the midfield. Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire, and Leni Yoro formed a back three, and the goalkeeper gloves were worn by Andre Onana.
From the early stages of the first half, Tottenham sought opportunities with aggressive pressing and quick transitions. In the 41st minute, they broke the deadlock with a focused shot from Brennan Johnson. After a cross from the left side deflected off a defender, Johnson quickly got his foot on the ball again, shaking the net.
The first half ended with Tottenham leading, and Manchester United intensified their counteroffensive in the second half. In the 68th minute, Tottenham goalkeeper Vicario cleared the ball, which Hojlund connected with a header, but defender Micky van de Ven made a crucial save by clearing the ball off the goal line. After this moment, Tottenham focused more on defense and withstood Manchester United's relentless attacks.
In the 67th minute, captain Son Heung-min was substituted in for Richarlison. He contributed to forward pressure and counterattacks with his active movement and created a shooting chance in the 81st minute.
Tottenham, which remained unshaken despite Manchester United's attacks until the end of the match, held off for 7 minutes of added time without conceding, finishing the game 1-0. Tottenham confirmed their first Europa League victory in club history, securing their first trophy under manager Ange Postecoglou.
The meaning was particularly special for manager Postecoglou. After taking the helm of Tottenham last summer, he finished his first season without a trophy but had publicly stated, "In my second year as a manager, I will definitely bring a trophy." And indeed, those words became a reality.
After the match, the statistics agency Opta noted, "Tottenham Hotspur has achieved four victories against Manchester United in the 2024-2025 season, becoming the second team in history to win four times against United in a single season. The only previous instance was Everton in the 1985-1986 season."
They added, "Tottenham recorded 3 shots, 27.7% possession, and 115 successful passes in this match. This is the lowest figure in the final of major European competitions recorded by Opta since the 2009-2010 season."
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