Top six times English clubs have met in a European final

English sides have turned up on the European stage

English clubs are very successful teams in Europe, and they have also asserted their dominance whenever they have reached a European competition’s final. We have also witnessed all-time English teams’ European finals, be it the Champions League or the Europa League.

The English teams’ European finals have always been entertaining and delivered higher expectations as they led their domestic competitions to European nights.

Now, in this article, we will take a look back in history at all the times English clubs have faced off in a European final.

6. Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur (Europa League 2024-25)

This year Europa League is set for English teams’ European finals, which will take place in Bilbao on May 21. Spurs and Manchester United both advanced through their UEFA Europa League semi-finals to set up the showpiece, which will be the sixth time two English clubs have competed in a European final, with both teams being part of the select few to encounter playing in such major events.

Your 2025 #UEL finalists ✨ pic.twitter.com/8rdPHSKOQT

— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) May 8, 2025

5. Wolverhampton Wanderers v Spurs (Spurs win 3-2 on aggregate) (UEFA Cup, 1972)

Up to 1997, the UEFA Cup final was split into two parts, with Wolves and Tottenham Hotspur playing an all-English match in the first leg. Additionally, this was the first time the English teams’ European finals took place.

Martin Chivers, who was the team’s top European scorer with 22 goals until Jermain Defoe surpassed his mark in 2013 (Son Heung-min and Harry Kane have since overtaken Defoe), scored two goals to help Spurs defeat Wolves 2-1 at Molineux in the first leg.

4. Man Utd 1-1 Chelsea (Man Utd win 6-5 on pens) (UEFA Champions League, 2008)

The first English teams’ European finals of Premier League history saw Man Utd battle Chelsea in the Champions League final.

Additionally, this first tournament final between the two sides from England was also the first time Chelsea made it to this point in the competition.

Despite Didier Drogba’s red card in extra time, Chelsea’s Frank Lampard and Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo scored goals for their respective sides in the first half, forcing the final to be decided on penalties.

After Nicolas Anelka’s penalty was saved by Edwin van der Sar, Man United prevailed in the shootout.

3. Chelsea 4-1 Arsenal (UEFA Europa League, 2019)

Chelsea and their London rivals Arsenal faced off in Baku, Azerbaijan, in the competition’s first English teams’ European finals between two teams from the same city. Chelsea easily won 4-1 after a goalless first half.

Olivier Giroud started an outstanding second-half performance against his former team by scoring the first goal. Eden Hazard’s penalty and Pedro’s finish then assured Chelsea of victory.

2. Spurs 0-2 Liverpool (UEFA Champions League, 2019)

The two clubs had distinct experiences in the competition. Liverpool had won five of their previous nine finals, but this was Spurs’ first.

A second-minute penalty kick from Mohamed Salah for Jurgen Klopp’s team swiftly dashed Tottenham Hotspur’s chances of concluding that amazing journey by winning the championship.

This was a much brighter experience for the Egyptian after he was forced to leave the 2018 final early and in tears due to injury. Divock Origi sealed the sixth title for the club after giving the Reds’ second goal.

1. Manchester City 0-1 Chelsea (UEFA Champions League, 2021)

Following the 2008 takeover that funded their ascent to the Premier League’s top division, Manchester City persevered for years before making it to their first Champions League final in 2021.

Chelsea, their rivals in Porto, had experienced a similar path following Roman Abramovich’s 2003 acquisition of the team.

After Frank Lampard left Chelsea in 2020–21, Thomas Tuchel led the team to European success. They defeated Man City 1-0 in the final, defeating Pep Guardiola.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Telegram.