West Ham miss out on UEFA Europa League final

 

West Ham United failed to qualify for the UEFA Europa League final after they were beaten 1-0 on the night in Germany by Frankfort, who qualified 3-1 on aggregate.

The Hammers had lost the first leg 2-1 in London but quickly diminished any chance of a comeback when Aaron Cresswell was red-carded 17 minutes into the second leg in Germany on Thursday night.

Frankfurt fully utilized the numerical advantage and scored in the 25th minute through Rafael Borre. His lone strike was enough to secure the win on the night, and a 3-1 aggregate victory as Frankfurt prepares to face Rangers in the final of the UEFA Europa League after the Scots got passed another German side, RB Leipzig.

Rangers lost the first leg 1-0 in Germany, but they were rampant on the night at home in Glasgow as they rushed into a 2-0 lead early in the first half.

James Tavernier opened the scoring in the nineteenth minute, while Gleen Kamara doubled their advantage five minutes later. Christopher Nkunku scored in the 71st minute for Leipzig, but John Lundstram sealed a 3-1 win with nine minutes left.

Rangers midfielder John Lundstram, who tagged the final as his biggest achievement even above playing in the Premier League said the win was made better, remembering how Rangers have faced challenges this season.

“We’ve been through so many ups and downs this season, but to come through it and reach a Europa League final, It’s my best night by a country mile,” he said

Meanwhile, in Italy, Leicester City was condemned to a defeat in their bid to make the UEFA Europa Conference League finals after losing 1-0 to AS Roma.

Former Chelsea forward Tammy Abraham scored the game’s only goal to ensure that the foxes were beaten 1-0 on the night and 2-1 on aggregate after a 1-1 draw in the first leg.

Roma will play Dutch side Feyenoord in the UEFA Europa Conference League final, while Rangers and Frankfurt will play in the final of the Europa League.

 

Written by: Daniel Ademiju Idowu