Jarrod Bowen scored a 90th-minute winner to help West Ham produce one of the narrow football scores of the weekend in the Europa Conference League final. When Bowen seized on Lucas Paqueta’s pass and scored a low goal to give West Ham their first significant prize in 43 years, the crowd at the Fortuna Arena erupted in jubilation. Said Benrahma’s penalty had been previously canceled out by Giacomo Bonaventura’s lightning-quick goal in the 62nd minute, but David Moyes’ squad showed incredible tenacity by withstanding significant pressure at different moments throughout the game before scoring in the 90th. They had not won a meaningful trophy for more than 40 years after winning the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in 1965. With this triumph, they have now twice won a European title.
A plastic cup hurled from the West Ham end struck Fiorentina captain Cristiano Biraghi, leaving him wounded and bandaged, and victory appeared improbable at moments during the lopsided first half. The game was marred by that event, as West Ham initially struggled to establish a footing in the match amid the raucous environment at the Fortuna Arena that followed an afternoon of fan rioting that resulted in 30 arrests in the city center. Early on, Fiorentina made a rare push forward, and Declan Rice, playing in what is likely to be his farewell game for the team, shot just wide. Otherwise, Moyes’ team was virtually stuck in their own half as Fiorentina dominated possession.
Biraghi’s corner provided the Italians with their first real opportunity, and West Ham were fortunate that their lax defending did not backfire as Nikola Milenkovic wasted headed the ball over. Later, after winning a corner in the same spot, Biraghi was struck in the head as empty cups fell on him. Before realising that he was bleeding, the Fiorentina captain mock-applauded the West Ham end.
After a protracted stoppage in play, Biraghi’s head was bandaged, and the stadium announcer asked West Ham supporters not to throw anything before the game resumed. Although that advise was followed, the pattern of the game maintained. Just before halftime, West Ham was relieved when Luka Jovic bundled home from close range, but the goal was eventually reversed for offside following a drawn-out VAR review. West Ham began to pose a larger threat after the break, especially from set plays. The turning point occurred when Biraghi was given a handball penalty following yet another VAR review, and a composed Benrahma converted the resultant penalty.
Only a few minutes later, Fiorentina responded, but the superb Bonaventura restored parity with a perfectly timed finish from Nicolas Gonzalez’s knockdown. Fiorentina came close to completing the comeback when Rolando Mandragora’s effort from replacement Arthur Cabral’s pass was barely wide, but the game remained toss-and-turn in the dying minutes. Tomas Soucek twice came close to scoring for the Hammers, but it was Bowen who would emerge as their hero. The 26-year-old maintained his composure to capitalize on Paqueta’s through pass and past Fiorentina keeper Pietro Terracciano, sending West Ham fans into a state of ecstasy.
“This is amazing. You don’t get many opportunities like this in football, where I played for a very long time. Thankfully, we had a terrific time tonight and achieved our desired outcome,” West Ham boss David Moyes said. “As a manager, these situations don’t occur frequently. You must put forth a lot of effort. In football, there are times when you don’t get enough wonderful moments, but this is a tremendous moment for us. A fantastic club in London’s east end does fantastic work for the neighborhood. It’s a sizable family club that keeps becoming stronger.”
“There is interest from other teams, but ultimately I still have two years at West Ham,” captain Declan Rice said. “I like both playing for and supporting this team. Since nothing has happened yet, my attention is on playing for West Ham, having a good time tonight, and then seeing what transpires. As the club’s captain, I adore it dearly and cannot express how much I appreciate this community. Let’s wait and see.”
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