UEFA Europa League 2024–25 Season Final

The final match of the 2024–25 season of the UEFA Europa League was played on Wednesday 21 May 2025 in the city of Bilbao, located in Spain’s Basque region. The final at the San Mamés Stadium featured Tottenham Hotspur from England’s Premier League against Manchester United. This final between two English clubs is recorded as the seventh in UEFA Europa League history in which two representatives from the same country faced each other. The match officials appointed by UEFA from the German Football Association were Felix Zwayer, Robert Kempter and Christian Dietz. The fourth official was Maurizio Mariani from Italy.

Prior to the final, UEFA organized extensive events across Bilbao. In addition to the San Mamés Stadium where the match was held, numerous fan experience zones were established in different parts of the city. These fan zones, developed in cooperation between UEFA and local authorities, were located in central areas such as around the Guggenheim Museum, Moyua Square and Gran Via Street. Fans were provided with licensed merchandise stalls, interactive game areas, stage performances and digital experiences in these zones.

Special sections for children, photo platforms and themed stalls for social media sharing were also set up. More than 50,000 football fans were expected in the city on match day. Public transport systems operated until late hours and certain roads were opened to pedestrian traffic to enhance security measures.

^{Final müsabakası öncesi Bilbao - Anadolu Ajansı}

The paths taken by Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United to reach the 2024–25 UEFA Europa League final followed different trajectories. According to the German football data platform Transfermarkt, Tottenham’s total squad market value reached 776.1 million euros. The team’s most valuable player was Swedish midfielder Dejan Kulusevski with a market value of 60 million euros. Other players such as James Maddison, Pedro Porro, Van de Ven, Solanke and Richarlison also attracted attention with high market values. Manchester United entered the tournament with a total squad market value of 693.25 million euros. The players with the highest market values in the red-and-white team were Bruno Fernandes, Leny Yoro and Kobbie Mainoo, each valued at 55 million euros.

Tottenham finished top of their group with 17 points, suffering only one defeat, against Galatasaray. In the round of 16 they defeated AZ Alkmaar, in the quarter-finals Eintracht Frankfurt, and in the semi-finals Norwegian side Bodø/Glimt, advancing to the final with an aggregate score of 5–1. Manchester United, on the other hand, eliminated Marseille in the qualifying rounds and then Athletic Club. Their dominant 7–1 aggregate victory over Athletic Club demonstrated their strong form heading into the final.

Tottenham Hotspur: Vicario, Pedro Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie (90' Spence), Sarr (90' Gray), Bissouma, Bentancur, Johnson (78' Danso), Solanke, Richarlison (67' Son)

Manchester United: Onana, Yoro, Maguire, Luke Shaw, Mazraoui (85' Dalot), Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes, Dorgu (90' Mainoo), Diallo, Højlund (71' Zirkzee), Mount (71' Garnacho)

The match began with Manchester United pressing forward. In the 16th minute, after a corner kick by Bruno Fernandes, Diallo’s shot on the rebound from goalkeeper Vicario’s save went out for a corner. Tottenham equalized the tempo in the latter stages of the first half and took the lead in the 42nd minute when Johnson converted a cross from the left flank by Sarr, after the ball deflected off Luke Shaw. The first half ended with Tottenham leading 1–0.

^{Tottenham Hotspur-Manchester United UEFA Avrupa Ligi final maçı, 21 Mayıs 2025 - Anadolu Ajansı}

Manchester United started the second half strongly and came close to equalizing in the 58th minute when Yoro’s shot was blocked by the defense. In the 68th minute, a deep free kick by Fernandes resulted in a shot by Højlund that was cleared off the goal line by Van de Ven. In the 72nd minute, Fernandes’s header went out for a corner. In the closing moments, Manchester United increased their pressure, and in the 90+7th minute, Luke Shaw’s header from inside the six-yard box was saved by goalkeeper Vicario. The match ended with the single goal scored in the first half.

^{Tottenham Hotspur-Manchester United UEFA Avrupa Ligi final maçı, 21 Mayıs 2025 - Anadolu Ajansı}

A total of seven players received yellow cards during the match. For Manchester United, Diallo (35'), Zirkzee (84'), Maguire (88') and substitute Evans (90+2') were cautioned. For Tottenham, Van de Ven (49'), Richarlison (57') and Bissouma (68') were shown yellow cards. Brennan Johnson’s goal was one of the defining moments in final history. The match, officiated by Felix Zwayer, was fast-paced and did not generate major controversial decisions.

Tottenham Hotspur won their third UEFA Europa League title, following their victories in 1972 and 1984. The club, returning to European trophy success after a 41-year gap, earned direct qualification to the group stage of the 2025–26 UEFA Champions League. Manchester United, meanwhile, failed to win the trophy in their second final appearance since their 2017 Europa League triumph. Tottenham became the third English club in history to win European competition titles three times. This final, with a combined squad market value of 1.469 billion euros, ranks among the highest-valued finals in the history of the competition.

^{Tottenham Hotspur-Manchester United UEFA Avrupa Ligi final maçı, 21 Mayıs 2025 - Anadolu Ajansı}

The final match of the 2024–25 UEFA Europa League was played on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in the city of Bilbao, located in Spain’s Basque Country. The final took place at San Mamés Stadium and featured a clash between two English Premier League clubs, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United. This encounter marked the seventh time in UEFA Europa League history that the final was contested between two teams from the same country. The match officials were appointed by UEFA from the German Football Association and included Felix Zwayer as the referee, with Robert Kempter and Christian Dietz as assistant referees. The fourth official was Maurizio Mariani from Italy.

Ahead of the final, UEFA organized a wide range of activities throughout the city of Bilbao. In addition to the match at San Mamés Stadium, various fan-oriented events were set up in different parts of the city to enhance the overall experience. Fan zones, established in cooperation with local authorities, were placed in key locations such as the area around the Guggenheim Museum, Moyua Square, and the Gran Via Avenue.

These fan zones featured licensed merchandise booths, play areas, stage performances, and interactive digital experiences. There were also special sections for children, photo platforms, and themed stands designed for social media sharing. With more than 50,000 football fans expected in the city on match day, local transport systems were extended into the late hours, some roads were closed to vehicles to allow for pedestrian traffic, and heightened security measures were implemented across the area.

^{Bilbao Ahead of the Final Match – Anadolu Agency}

Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United reached the 2024–25 UEFA Europa League final with contrasting team structures and journeys. According to the German football data platform Transfermarkt, the total market value of the Tottenham squad stood at €776.1 million. The most valuable player was Swedish midfielder Dejan Kulusevski, valued at €60 million. Other high-value players included James Maddison, Pedro Porro, Van de Ven, Solanke, and Richarlison. Manchester United entered the tournament with a total squad value of €693.25 million. Bruno Fernandes, Leny Yoro, and Kobbie Mainoo were the most valuable players in the squad, each valued at €55 million.

Tottenham lost only to Galatasaray in the group stage and finished top with 17 points. They defeated AZ Alkmaar in the Round of 16, Eintracht Frankfurt in the quarter-finals, and Norwegian side Bodø/Glimt in the semi-finals with an aggregate score of 5–1 to book their place in the final. Manchester United, on the other hand, overcame Marseille and Athletic Club in the knockout rounds. Their emphatic 7–1 aggregate win over Athletic Club particularly underlined their strength heading into the final.

Tottenham Hotspur: Vicario, Pedro Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie (90’ Spence), Sarr (90’ Gray), Bissouma, Bentancur, Johnson (78’ Danso), Solanke, Richarlison (67’ Son)

Manchester United: Onana, Yoro, Maguire, Luke Shaw, Mazraoui (85’ Dalot), Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes, Dorgu (90’ Mainoo), Diallo, Højlund (71’ Zirkzee), Mount (71’ Garnacho)

The match began with attacking intent from Manchester United. In the 16th minute, following a corner taken by Bruno Fernandes, goalkeeper Vicario spilled the ball, but Diallo’s follow-up shot went wide. As the first half progressed, Tottenham gained control and broke the deadlock in the 42nd minute. Sarr delivered a cross from the left, which deflected off Luke Shaw and fell to Johnson, who scored to give Tottenham a 1–0 lead going into halftime.

^{Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United – UEFA Europa League Final Match, May 21, 2025 – Anadolu Agency}

Manchester United started the second half strongly and came close to scoring in the 58th minute with a shot from Yoro, but the chance was blocked by the defense. In the 68th minute, Fernandes delivered a deep free-kick that found Højlund, whose effort was cleared off the line by Van de Ven. In the 72nd minute, Fernandes headed the ball just wide of the target.

In the closing moments, United increased the pressure, and in the 90+7th minute, Luke Shaw’s close-range header was saved by goalkeeper Vicario. The match ended 1–0, with the only goal scored in the first half.

^{Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United – UEFA Europa League Final Match, May 21, 2025 – Anadolu Agency}

A total of seven players received yellow cards during the final. For Manchester United, the bookings went to Diallo (35’), Zirkzee (84’), Maguire (88’), and substitute Jonny Evans (90+2’). On Tottenham’s side, Van de Ven (49’), Richarlison (57’), and Bissouma (68’) were cautioned. Brennan Johnson’s goal, the only one of the match, became a memorable moment in Europa League final history. The match, officiated by Felix Zwayer, was played at a high tempo and did not feature any particularly controversial decisions.

Tottenham Hotspur claimed their third UEFA Europa League title, following previous triumphs in 1972 and 1984. With this victory, the club ended a 41-year wait for another European trophy and secured direct qualification to the 2025–26 UEFA Champions League group stage. Manchester United, on the other hand, failed to add to their 2017 title, losing in their second final appearance since then. Tottenham became the third English club in history to win three European trophies. This final also stood out financially—featuring squads with a combined market value of €1.469 billion, it ranked among the most valuable Europa League finals ever.

^{Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United – UEFA Europa League Final Match, May 21, 2025 – Anadolu Agency}