Europa Conference League: West Ham beat Fiorentina to win the trophy

History made. West Ham have won their first European trophy since 1965 (the European Cup Winners' Cup). The Hammers beat Fiorentina 2-1 in the Europa Conference League final.

The English side landed the first blow as early as the 2nd minute. After a driving run, Paqueta found Antonio, whose shot was comfortably gathered by Terracciano. The Hammers wanted to go for their opponents' throats with a high press. Declan Rice also tried his luck from outside the box (12th), but missed the target. After that lively start, the two sides settled into a cagey stand-off. The stakes took over from the football.

The talking point of the first half between Fiorentina and West Ham will be an incident in the stands. As he was about to take a corner, Fiorentina's Biraghi was hit on the head by a cup (33rd), leaving him with a cut and heavy bleeding. The match was halted for five minutes as a result. After the restart, Luka Jovic thought he had put La Viola ahead (45+5). However, the Serbian was offside and the goal was ruled out. The break came with the score at 0-0 after a dismal spectacle.

Cristiano Biraghi has a gash on his head after being hit by an object thrown by West Ham supporters. 😨 pic.twitter.com/waMfTwA7Wi

— Actu Foot (@ActuFoot_) June 7, 2023

Benrahma strikes, Bonaventura hits back

The second half began at the same pace. Then again, neither side wanted to jeopardise their chances of playing in the Europa League next season. West Ham (14th in the Premier League) and Fiorentina (8th in Serie A) both finished outside the European places in their domestic leagues. Caution was therefore, for both teams, the best weapon in this final.

However, the game opened up around the hour mark. Biraghi handled the ball in his own box. After a VAR check, the referee awarded a penalty. Algerian Said Benrahma took the spot-kick and gave West Ham the lead (62nd), his third goal in the competition this season. However, the English side's joy was short-lived, as five minutes later Giacomo Bonaventura equalised.

Bowen arrives at the perfect moment

Those two goals in quick succession seemed to whet both sides' appetite. Chances came thick and fast. First, from a long throw, Antonio nodded the ball down for Soucek. He had a go but was denied by Terracciano (80th). Then, a minute later, Soucek tried his luck with a header for West Ham, but Terracciano made another save. Then, in the 86th minute, Sofyan Amrabat tried his luck from distance, but the Moroccan midfielder was denied by Areola, who gathered the ball comfortably. The breakthrough came in the 90th minute for the English side. Played in behind by Lucas Paqueta, Jarrod Bowen outpaced the defence and beat the goalkeeper (2-1). The Hammers dealt Fiorentina a blow they could not recover from. Thanks to this win, West Ham will play in the Europa League next season.

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