West Ham secured a 2-0 victory at London Stadium courtesy of goals from Tomas Soucek and Yarmolenko to go through to the last-8 with an aggregate score of 2-1.
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Andriy Yarmolenko’s extra-time goal helped West Ham United overcome Sevilla and reach the quarter-finals of Europa League. The Hammers secured a 2-0 victory at London Stadium on Thursday to go through to the next round with an aggregate score of 2-1. It was Yarmalenko’s second goal in as many goals for West Ham since returning from compassionate leave following a war in his native Ukraine. Tomas Soucek’s first-half header made the aggregate score 1-1 and took the game to extra time as both teams failed to find the decisive goal in regular time.
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QUARTER-FINALS OF THE EUROPA LEAGUE HERE WE COME!!!!#UEL| #WHUSEV pic.twitter.com/iCa055uABp
— West Ham United (@WestHam) March 17, 2022
The initial phase of the match was cagey as both sides canceled each other out and very few chances were created. The first real opening of the match was created on 27 minutes, when Anthony Martial’s nice little back-heel released left-back Ludwig Augustinsson, whose cut back found Youssef En-Nesyri inside the box, but the striker’s shot was brilliantly kept out by West Ham keeper Alphonse Areola’s quick reflex save.
At the other end, Benrahma’s nice little through ball found an unmarked Michail Antonio inside the box, but the striker’s shot was palmed away by goalkeeper Bounou before Nemanja Gudelj got to the rebound ahead of Soucek to clear.
West Ham got the crucial goal on 39 minutes to bring the tie level on the night. Anontio did well to make space for himself on the left side of the box and deliver an inch-perfect cross for Soucek to head home at the far post.
After the break, Soucek’s effort tested Bounou at the near post before En-Nesyri’s half-volley went wide. West Ham were playing with more intent as Manuel Lanzini was denied by Bounou. Chances were few and far between as the game meandered towards extra-time.
The big moment finally arrived in the 112th minute, when Yarmolenko reacted quickest after goalkeeper Bounou parried Pablo Fornals’ strike to tap home the rebound and spark wild celebrations in the stadium.
Elsewhere, Atalanta defeated Leverkusen 1-0 courtesy of Jeremie Boga’s stoppage-time goal in the Europa League round of 16 second leg fixture at Bay Arena. The win helped the Serie A side to go through to the quarter-finals of the competition with an aggregate score of 4-2. Leverkusen started the match on the driving seat as Moussa Diaby forced a save from Atalanta keeper Juan Musso early on.
At the other end, Teun Koopmeiners’ through ball found the run of Muriel, but his hot deflected for a corner. Two minutes into the second half, the hosts had a golden chance to take the lead when Diaby was released on goal but Musso once again stood form to deny the forward from a one-on-one situation. And then, Demiraby’s follow-up was deflated onto the side-netting.
It was proving to be an end-to-end affair as Muriel led a breakaway move, raced into the opposition penalty area, before his cut-back was deflected just over the bar by a defender, risking an own goal.
A goalless draw would have taken Atalanta through, but they won it right at the end. Boga ran from his own half and took on three defenders before firing into the far top corner from the left side of the box.
