Jarrod Bowen was nearly moved to tears after scoring West Ham United's 90th minute winner to secure the 2022/23 UEFA Europa Conference League trophy!
It was a moment the forward, and indeed everyone associated with West Ham, will never forget as Bowen latched onto Lucas Paqueta’s through-ball in the last minute of Wednesday’s final to fire in the Irons’ second and secure a first European trophy for the Club since 1965.
The 26-year-old had only imagined such a scenario in his wildest dreams…until now.
“I obviously dreamed of scoring but to score the winner in the last minute…you always say you want to score a last-minute winner!” he said.
“To do it in front of these fans, I thought I was going to cry. I’m just so, so happy. I can’t put it into words.
“We had a dream, and we didn’t have the best season, but to do what we’ve done tonight for these fans…we see all the fans and, to give them this moment, I’m over the moon.”
The celebrations as Bowen’s finish found the net were immense, bettered only by the roar and the outpouring of emotion as the final whistle blew around the Eden Aréna eight minutes later.
Said Benrahma had given the Irons the lead from the penalty spot on 62 minutes, only for Giacomo Bonaventura to level the match on 67 minutes, ensuring a tense feeling for both sets of fans as the minutes dripped away.
“I’ve never had a feeling like this in my entire life,” he continued. “I said leading up to this that this was the biggest game in my entire career and the emotion.
“I thought it was going to go to extra time. But there was time for one more chance and I’m just so happy. We won it for everyone. It means to much.
“In my position, you make that run ten times and you might get it once but the one time you get it you’ve got to put it away.
“I was confident and then I’ve seen it go in and then I just didn’t know what to do.”
There is plenty of time to consider the history-making implications, not to mention European football secured again for next season. For now, Bowen and his teammates have a very special moment to savour.
He added: “I’m now thinking about the party tonight. I want to celebrate with my teammates, the fans, the staff. My dad and my brother and my two mates are in the front row too. It’s special.”
