Late Bowen strike seals Conference League victory

Jarred Bowen’s late goal clinched the Europa Conference League for West Ham United and seal a 2-1 win over Fiorentina.

Action: It wasn’t a pretty first half in Prague both on and off the pitch. Fiorentina, who felt like the visiting team considering how many West Ham fans were in attendance, had plenty of the ball but found it difficult to do anything with it against a Hammers team hoping to pounce on the break.

The massive contingent of West Ham fans did provide the ugliest moment of the game when an object thrown from the strands hit Cristiano Biraghi on the back of the head. There was plenty of blood but fortunately, the Italian was able to continue with a fetching purple bandage.

Just before the half-time whistle, Fiorentina briefly thought they had taken the lead when Nicolás González’s cross from the right was headed onto the post by Christian Kouamé. Luka Jovic was quick to put the rebound in the back of the net but had strayed just offside.

After a poor first 45 minutes, the second period was far more entertaining. 

Jarred Bowen’s appeals for a penalty resulted in the first goal of the game after Biraghi’s arm hit the ball following the West Ham player’s chest control. Spanish referee Carlos del Cerro Grande didn’t initially award the spot-kick but did after consulting the VAR monitor.

Said Benrahma kept a cool head with his 62nd-minute penalty that was fired into the top corner – even if Pietro Terracciano had guessed the right way he would never have stopped it.

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I Viola could have taken the lead soon after when Rolando Mandragora had space in the box but fired his shot wide of Alphonse Aréola’s goal.

With an even game threatening to go to extra-time and penalties, the winner came in the 90th minute. Lucas Paquetá played a neat ball behind the Fiorentina defence that Bowen latched on to.

The forward did well to keep his composure and lift the ball over Terracciano and spark delirious celebrations.

The Hammers stayed strong in defence for the final five minutes (and a few extra) of stoppage time to earn their first European trophy in 58 years and book a place in next season’s Europa League after a hard-fought performance.

Post-match quotes: Match-winner Jarrod Bowen, "To score the winner in the last minute? To do it in front of these fans – I thought I was gonna cry. I’m just happy. We’ve had a dream. We haven’t had the best season, myself included, but to do this for these fans… I’m over the moon.

"I’ve never had a feeling like this. Look at everyone, it means so much."

Stat of the Day: Emerson Palmieri is the first player to win the Champions League (Chelsea, 21/22), Europa League (Chelsea, 18/19), and Europa Conference League.

xG: Fiorentina (1.67) 1-2 (1.36) West Ham United

WHAT A WAY TO WIN IT!!! ⚒️ pic.twitter.com/7V8eFY3reW

— West Ham United (@WestHam) June 7, 2023