West Ham vs Freiburg LIVE: Europa League result and reaction after Kudus strikes twice including stunner
Follow all the latest updates from the Europa League clash at the London Stadium
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West Ham have booked their place in the quarter-finals of Europe’s second-tier competition with an emphatic 5-0 win on the night, and 5-1 on aggregate against Freiburg.
The Hammers fell to a controversial 1-0 defeat in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie. David Moyes’ side were controversially denied a late penalty to level the match.
But in the return leg they fired on all cylinders. It started from Lucas Paqueta’s ninth-minute tap in to level the tie, before Jarrod Bowen, Aaron Cresswell and Mohammed Kudus also got their names on the score sheet.
Kudus’ first was the goal of the evening, a stunning individual effort that stemmed from him winning the ball by cutting out a ball inside his own half before running forward, leaving defenders in his wake to set up the shot and fire the ball into the corner of the goal.
In the pre-match press conference, Moyes insisted the club have been enjoying their recent European runs, he said: “If you want to be on the big stage, now is the time to act. If you can’t perform, don’t go on stage. From the first game we had in Europe, we’ve been on a good ride and no one wants that to end.” And the Hammers will have a chance to extend that after their win over Freiburg.
Follow all the live action in the blog below, and get the latest odds and tips here.
West Ham 3-0 Freiburg (3-1)
55 mins: It will take a mammoth effort from Freiburg to find a way back into the game now, they have not looked very threatening all match and need two goals to take it to extra time.
GOAL! Aaron Cresswell makes it three! - West Ham 3-0 (3-1)
GOAL! 52 mins: Bowen finds Cresswell inside the box, he takes a touch to set up the shot and then left-footed, drives it into the back of the net.
West Ham 2-0 Freiburg (2-1)
51 mins: West Ham clear the ball upfield and will have their own chance to give themselves breathing room.
West Ham 2-0 Freiburg (2-1)
50 mins: Freiburg might not be pressing quickly, but the Hammers are sitting a long way back and just inviting pressure. Coufal clears, but not very far and it will be a throw to the visitors and a chance for a long ball into the box.
West Ham 2-0 Freiburg (2-1)
48 mins: The second half has started in the same way as the first finished, there was a decent cross in from the wings, for the visitors but half-time substitute Gregoritschat headed far over the bar.
West Ham 2-0 Freiburg (2-1)
46 mins: West Ham get the second half underway
Half time: West Ham 2-0 Freiburg (2-1)
Here are some photos from the first half:
First half stats:
Freiburg had more of the possession with 57 percent, but fewer shots, 6 compared to 7, and just one of those was on target.
West Ham have had 5 corners and three shots on target, but have committed more fouls, 6 compared to 2.
Half time: West Ham 2-0 Freiburg (2-1)
HT: That has all gone West Ham’s way, it has been a masterclass, after Paqueta’s early strike levelled the tie, Bowen’s just after the half hour mark has put them firmly in the driving seat.
Freiburg will have to come out and show something different after the half time break.
West Ham 2-0 Freiburg (2-1)
44 mins: Just on the stroke of half time and the match has slowed down quite a lot.
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