(IKIMAGES/AFP via Getty Images)
Follow live reaction from West Ham’s 2-1 home defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt in the first leg of the Europa League semifinals. West Ham’s first European semi-final in 46 years got off to a nightmarish start as Ansgar Knauff arrived late at the far post to put Eintracht Frankfurt ahead after 48 seconds.
The hosts kept their composure and grabbed a deserved equalizer through Michail Antonio after Jarrod Bowen hit the post, the striker stretching to head Kurt Zouma’s knockdown over the line from a set-piece.
Eintracht Frankfurt struck the next blow, however, as Daichi Kamada’s goal allowed the visitors to retake the lead by finishing off a slick move through the West Ham defense. West Ham were frustrated in the closing stages, with Kamada coming closest to scoring with a shot that deflected off Craig Dawson and hit the post.
And in stoppage time, Bowen rattled the underside of the crossbar with a spectacular overhead kick as Frankfurt clung on to their first leg win. West Ham will have their work cut out in Germany next week. Relive West Ham’s action against Eintracht Frankfurt, below:
West Ham with work to do as Daichi Kamada gives Eintracht Frankfurt first leg lead
Among the 3,000 Eintracht Frankfurt fans in attendance at the London Stadium on Thursday night, amid the boisterous boisterous bouncing, choreographed flag-waving and chants serenading their players, one fan gripped a flare tightly. If it was a symbolic warning sign, West Ham did not heed it quickly enough.
Alex Pattle’s report from the London Stadium.
Jamie Braidwood28 April 2022 22:08
Other European scores
Results of the first leg of the Europa League semifinals:
- West Ham 1-2 Eintracht Frankfurt
- RB Leipzig 1-0 Rangers
Results of the first leg of the Europa Conference League semifinals:
- Leicester 1-1 Roma
- Feyenoord 3-2 Marseille
Dylan Terry28 April 2022 21:59
FT: West Ham 1-2 Eintracht Frankfurt
We were inches away from one of the great European goals of all time.
Dylan Terry28 April 2022 21:55
FT: West Ham 1-2 Eintracht Frankfurt
Full Time: That’s it. Eintracht Frankfurt have taken a 2-1 lead heading into the second leg in Germany in seven days’ time.
Ansgar Knauff opened the scoring after 49 seconds with a close-range header.
Michail Antonio equalized midway through the first half, heading home a free kick taken by Kurt Zouma.
However, nine minutes into the second half, Daichi Kamada scored the decisive goal, tapping in a rebound after a silky move by the German team.
Dylan Terry28 April 2022 21:54
West Ham 1-2 Eintracht Frankfurt
90+3 mins: Borre makes way for Ache as Frankfurt squeeze the clock down in the final minute.
I’m still getting over that Bowen try. He deserved a goal.
Dylan Terry28 April 2022 21:51
West Ham 1-2 Eintracht Frankfurt
90+1 minutes: OH MY LORD! THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN THE GOAL OF THE SEASON!
Rice crosses in the middle and Jarrod Bowen’s shot hits the crossbar and bounces off the line.
It would have been an incredible goal.
West Ham take a corner, but Soucek heads over.
Dylan Terry28 April 2022 21:50
West Ham 1-2 Eintracht Frankfurt
90 minutes: a minimum of three minutes of injury time will be played.
Dylan Terry28 April 2022 21:48
West Ham 1-2 Eintracht Frankfurt
89 minutes: CHANCE! There’s the chance. Rice cleverly hooks it over the top for Benrahma. He sends the ball into the middle and Bowen goes higher but can only head over the bar.
The referee deemed it to have come off a Frankfurt player last, but it wasn’t. The ensuing corner is easily dealt with.
Was that West Ham’s last chance? They may have to settle for needing a win in Germany.
Dylan Terry28 April 2022 21:47
West Ham 1-2 Eintracht Frankfurt
89 mins: West Ham win the ball back. Will they have one last chance to level things up in this first leg?
Dylan Terry28 April 2022 21:46
West Ham 1-2 Eintracht Frankfurt
88 mins: Borre wins a free kick for a Rice foul. Time is running out now, German side.
Dylan Terry28 April 2022 21:45
Reference-www.independent.co.uk