West Ham United have ended a wait of nearly 60 years for European glory after Jarrod Bowen’s last minute goal gave them a dramatic 2-1 win over Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League final.
With time running out, the striker went clean through on goal and kept his nerve to finish past keeper Pietro Terracciano and send the Hammers faithful, not to mention manager David Moyes, into ecstasy. The Hammers had earlier led through Said Benrahma’s penalty, before Giacomo Bonaventura’s crisp striker levelled matters.
And in what is widely expected to be his final night in claret and blue, the result could be the perfect farewell for captain Declan Rice. The England international is now cemented in club folklore, as the first Hammer to lift a European trophy since the legendary Bobby Moore.
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The first half ended in stalemate but it wasn’t without a major flash point. It was the Serie A side who had made the more settled start without seriously threatening an opener, before the game was paused in unsavoury circumstances just before the 35-minute mark. Fiorentina skipper Cristiano Biraghi was preparing to take a corner when missiles appeared to reign down on him from the stands.
The left-back was duly cut after being struck by an object, with blood streaming from his face as the action was halted. Play resumed after several minutes of consultation between the officials, with West Ham skipper Rice and several players visibly appealing for calm from their fans.
And just before the break, Fiorentina thought they led as Christian Kouame’s headed onto the post with Luka Jovic scoring rom the rebound in, but his effort was ruled out for offside. But having shown little threat in the first 45 minutes, it was West Ham seemingly emerged with an extra dimension after the break.
