West Ham United clinched the Europa Conference League title after a last-minute goal from Jarrod Bowen secured a 2-1 victory against Fiorentina in the final at the Fortuna Arena in Prague, Czech Republic.
The English side started with Michail Antonio in attack, with Said Benrahma and Jarrod Bowen on the flanks. For Fiorentina, Luka Jovic was up-front while Christian Kouame and Nicolas Gonzales were on the wings.
In the first half, Fiorentina dominated possession but could not find a way past West Ham’s defence. The Italians did not register a shot on target. It was 0-0 by halftime.
A 62th minute penalty from West Ham forward Said Benrahma was enough to spark the crowd in a tense final between two strong teams with a point to prove.
West Ham forward Said Benrahma (22) scores penalty against Fiorentina.
The Italians looked for a way back into the game and were rewarded five minutes later.
⚒️ West Ham win the Europa Conference League! 🏆#UECLfinal pic.twitter.com/MwKVPmQvaA
— UEFA Europa Conference League (@europacnfleague) June 7, 2023
However, the Hammers struck a hammer blow in the 90th minute after showing resilience to absorb heavy pressure during the encounter.
A pass from West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta found Bowen, who fired the ball into the net to send the fans in the stadium into a frenzy, securing the London club’s first piece of major silverware in 43 years.
West Ham winger Jarrod Bowen (20) scores winning goal against Fiorentina.
The match finished 2-1 in favour of West Ham, with the Hammers securing a European trophy after a long wait, while playing some brilliant football.
⚒️ West Ham complete the 2022/23 Europa Conference League season 𝐔𝐍𝐁𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐍 🏆#UECLfinal pic.twitter.com/7KGeXMyjgU
— UEFA Europa Conference League (@europacnfleague) June 7, 2023
West Ham have now won a European trophy for the second time in its history, following the club’s UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup triumph in 1965.
The Hammers’ victorious campaign in the 2022/2023 Europa Conference League season ends a wait of more than four decades for major silverware.
David Moyes’ West Ham have been brilliant in the 2022/2023 Europa Conference League campaign, going unbeaten to claim the trophy.
