English Duel in the Europa League Final: Manchester United vs. Tottenham
For the first time in six years, the UEFA Europa League final will pit two clubs from the same country against each other. The San Mamés stadium in Bilbao will be the setting for an all-English clash between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur on May 21.
Although it is not strictly a “derby” in the traditional sense, finals between clubs from the same country are a relatively rare event in continental competitions.
This match will be only the tenth final of this type in the history of the Europa League, which originally began in the 1971-72 season as the UEFA Cup. Coincidentally, that season saw the first final between teams from the same country, with Tottenham defeating Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Furthermore, this season will mark the first Europa League final between compatriot clubs since the 2018-19 season, when Chelsea defeated Arsenal 4-1 in Baku.
Considering both the Europa League and the UEFA Champions League, there have only been 18 such finals in UEFA competitions. The Champions League has witnessed eight of these clashes since its introduction in the 1955-56 season. The most recent example in the Champions League was also an all-English encounter, with Chelsea defeating Manchester City in Porto in 2021.
A Look at the “Derby” Finals in UEFA History
Below, we present a ranking of the 18 “derby” finals that have taken place in the history of UEFA club competitions since the 1950s, ordered according to their sporting excellence, lasting impact, and entertainment value.
- AC Milan 0-0 Juventus (3-2 pens), 2002-03 Champions League Final: A match remembered for its lack of excitement, decided on penalties.
- Porto 1-0 Braga, 2010-11 Europa League Final: Decided by a goal from Radamel Falcao.
- Inter Milan 2-1 Roma (aggregate), 1990-91 UEFA Cup Final: Inter took the title despite losing the second leg.
- Juventus 3-1 Fiorentina (aggregate), 1989-90 UEFA Cup Final: Juventus won in an all-Italian final.
- Parma 2-1 Juventus (aggregate), 1994-95 UEFA Cup Final: Parma, against all odds, took the victory.
- Liverpool 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur, 2018-19 Champions League Final: Liverpool won in an all-English final.
- Chelsea 1-0 Manchester City, 2020-21 Champions League Final: Chelsea took the title with a solitary goal.
- Tottenham Hotspur 3-2 Wolverhampton Wanderers (aggregate), 1971-72 UEFA Cup Final: The first UEFA Cup final, with Tottenham as champions.
- Inter Milan 3-0 Lazio, 1997-98 UEFA Cup Final: Inter took the title in a single-leg final.
- Real Madrid 1-1 Atlético Madrid (5-3 pens), 2015-16 Champions League Final: Real Madrid defeated Atlético on penalties.
- Eintracht Frankfurt 3-3 Borussia Mönchengladbach (aggregate), 1979-80 UEFA Cup Final: Eintracht Frankfurt took the title thanks to the away goals rule.
- Bayern Munich 2-1 Borussia Dortmund, 2012-13 Champions League Final: Bayern Munich won in an all-German final.
- Real Madrid 3-0 Valencia, 1999-00 Champions League Final: Real Madrid won in an all-Spanish final.
- Atlético Madrid 3-0 Athletic Club, 2011-12 Europa League Final: Radamel Falcao led Atlético to victory.
- Manchester United 1-1 Chelsea (6-5 pens), 2007-08 Champions League Final: Manchester United defeated Chelsea on penalties.
- Sevilla 2-2 Espanyol (3-1 pens), 2006-07 Europa League Final: Sevilla took the title on penalties.
- Chelsea 4-1 Arsenal, 2018-19 Europa League Final: Chelsea defeated Arsenal in an all-English final.
- Real Madrid 4-1 Atlético Madrid (aet), 2013-14 Champions League Final: Real Madrid defeated Atlético in extra time.
The final between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur promises to be a new exciting chapter in the history of these “derby” finals.
