West Ham beat Fiorentina with a late goal to win the Conference League

West Ham beat Fiorentina 2-1 in the final of the Conference Europa League. Both Czechs played the whole game for the Hammers, Antonín Barák only got into the game in the setup. The decisive goal came in the 89th minute.

West Ham striker Michail Antonio sent the first shot in the opening minute, but the Fiorentina goalkeeper had little to do. On the other side, midfielder Rolando Mandragora fired from distance, but it was not between the three posts.

Both teams were keen to play, Declan Rice tried his luck from the edge of the box and missed the left post by a whisker. After a good fifteen minutes, the tempo dropped a little, West Ham often feeling aggrieved for the referee’s poor decision.

The ball was primarily held by the Italians, but the players were taken off the pace by the unnecessary cups of West Ham fans, one of which struck and ripped Cristiano Biraghi’s head. Fiorentina did go ahead in stoppage time, but Luka Jovic’s goal was disallowed for offside.

West Ham started more actively after the change of sides, but couldn’t get a proper finish. On the other side, Christian Kouamé shot from distance, but Alphonse Areola had no problem with his shot in the middle of the net.

In the 58th minute, Biraghi played his hand in the box, which the head referee discovered after watching the replay. Said Benrahma then took the ball and sent the Hammers into the lead with a shot under the crossbar.

In the 67th minute the game was levelled, a neat shot to the far post giving the experienced Giacomo Bonaventura no chance. The goal gave the Italians confidence, Mandragora had the lead but missed from a volley.

In the 80th minute, Tomas Soucek almost succeeded with an inconspicuous header, but Fiorentina’s goalkeeper made the save. In the 89th minute the Londoners were celebrating, Jarrod Bowen struck after a breakaway behind the defence. In the end, West Ham held on to win 2-1.

Source: UEFA