After weeks of excitement and anticipation leading up to an all-English Europa League final between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, fans were expecting fireworks.
But when the big night finally arrived, the actual game left viewers scratching their heads.
What was supposed to be a thrilling showdown turned out to be a sluggish, scrappy affair that had many fans and pundits wondering how it all went so wrong.
Spurs Edge United but Style Takes a Back Seat
Tottenham came away with the win, thanks to a somewhat messy goal from Brennan Johnson — a strike that was more about being in the right place at the right time than any moment of brilliance.
Despite the importance of the occasion, neither team managed to create much in the way of clear chances.
In the end, Spurs claimed the Europa League title and, more importantly, booked themselves a ticket to next season’s Champions League.
Social Media Erupts with Disappointment
While Tottenham fans were undoubtedly thrilled with the result, the football world at large wasn’t feeling as generous.
Piers Morgan didn’t hold back, taking to X (formerly Twitter) to slam the match.
“This must be the worst quality game in the history of European football competition finals,” he posted, adding a jab that “one of these useless bunch of wastrels” now gets to play in the Champions League.
Even Legends Weigh In
Before the match even kicked off, Arsenal’s legendary former manager Arsène Wenger had already voiced concerns about the quality on offer, questioning whether teams sitting in 16th and 17th in the Premier League really belonged in European finals.
And after 90 underwhelming minutes, many felt his point had been proven.
Michael Owen Joins the Criticism
Former England striker Michael Owen also took to social media, clearly unimpressed.
“Can’t believe how bad the standard of this match is,” he wrote. “
Neither team can string 3 passes together.” Coming from someone who has played in and watched his share of big games, that’s saying something.
Fans Compare It to Legendary Flops
Supporters were equally vocal in their disappointment.
One fan tweeted, “I have no clue why I expected this game to be pure cinema. This is the worst game of football I’ve ever seen.”
Another took a more brutal approach, writing, “These are two of the worst teams our league has to offer.”
And perhaps the most biting review? A fan compared it to the infamous finale of Game of Thrones, calling it the “worst final since Game of Thrones.” Ouch.
A Narrow Win, But Big Stakes for Both Teams
Despite all the negativity, Tottenham will move on to the Champions League — a massive step forward for the club.
Johnson’s goal may not have been pretty, but it was enough.
As for Manchester United, the result is a brutal blow. Not only do they miss out on the trophy, but they’ll also be absent from any European competition next season.
Financial Fallout for Manchester United
The loss stings even more when you consider the financial consequences.
Without Champions League prize money, manager Ruben Amorim will now face a tougher summer as he tries to rebuild and reshape a struggling United side.
The club had hoped a strong European finish could kickstart a new chapter — instead, they’re left facing more questions than answers.