West Ham United 2-1 AZ Alkmaar
UEFA Europa Conference League semi-final first leg, London Stadium, Thursday 11 May 2023, 8pm BST
West Ham United came from behind to take a step towards a first European final since 1976 with a 2-1 win over AZ Alkmaar on Thursday evening.
A first-half effort from Tijjani Reijnders may have clipped the Hammers’ wings, although West Ham responded impeccably after the break to take a slender advantage to the Netherlands.
Saïd Benrahma’s penalty kickstarted the comeback, before Michail Antonio prodded home the crucial winner from close range.
An unbeaten run is stretched to 13 matches in the competition following a first-leg win, but there is plenty of work still to be done next Thursday should the Club reach a third European final.
A first half that ebbed and flowed between two evenly matched sides eventually fell the way of the visitors four minutes before the break.
Paquetá, who, alongside most inside London Stadium, was aggrieved not to win a free-kick, had the ball pinched, before a sea of blue swarmed across the halfway line and into West Ham territory. Reijnders was the grateful recipient of a bit of luck for the visitors and fired an effort that beat the sprawling Alphonse Areola from distance.
Frustrations were loud across east London then. Chances had come and gone in plenty for those in Claret and Blue before AZ took the lead too.
Jarrod Bowen climbed highest but could only head Declan Rice’s cross over the bar, while the England forward was later unable to connect when Antonio burst into the area and looked to find his teammate. Mathew Ryan was the first stopper called into action when he tipped Benrahma’s effort past the post.
But the Hammers had to put their aggrievances behind them. And a mix of skill and drive saw the Irons do just that.
Shortly after the break, Bowen darted inside to create space but only saw his effort drift wide of the post, although his persistence would bring the equaliser. The England forward bravely challenged for the ball before AZ goalkeeper Ryan collided with the No20. Referee Haili Umut Meler had no option but to point to the spot. And Benrahma, as he has done all season, smashed home the resulting spot kick home – empathically.
The noise as the ball hit the net was deafening but nothing compared to when Antonio put the Hammers ahead nine minutes later. Declan Rice kept a corner alive, which Nayef Aguerd headed at goal, with the No9 on hand to poke home from close range. DJ Tony Perry played Come Together at half-time, and in a matter of nine second half minutes, east London had done just that.
London Stadium was alive then, and with West Ham in the ascendency, the hosts pressed for more. The noise after Antonio’s winner saw each in Claret and Blue with another spring in their step. Antonio had an extra yard of pace as he darted down the touchline. Rice an extra stride as he charged to support his teammate. Paquetá, as he did on the weekend, was controlling things once more.
With just over ten minutes to play, Danny Ings was brought onto the field. And the No18 brought a further dose of energy up top. A neat combination with Benrahma might have brought a third but the Algerian struck high and wide, as he attempted to beat Ryan once more.
Bowen then came close to striking himself. Another driving run down the right created space, but his cross evaded everyone in Claret and Blue. Ings camped on the edge of the area knowing a tap-in was waiting had he made the run into the six-yard box. The forward later threw himself at a cross but could not force a third.
And so, the tie, while with the Hammers as it stands, remains finely poised for the second leg next Thursday. A step towards the Club’s third European final – and first in 47 years – has been made in east London tonight, but history will have to be clinched in Alkmaar.
West Ham United: Areola, Kehrer, Zouma, Aguerd, Cresswell, Rice ©, Souček, Paquetá, Benrahma (Fornals 90), Antonio (Ings 79), Bowen
Subs: Fabiański (GK), Anang (GK), Johnson, Lanzini, Downes, Emerson, Cornet, Potts, Mubama
Goals: Benrahma 67 Antonio 76
Booked: Paquetá
AZ Alkmaar: Ryan, Sugawara, Beukema, Hatzidiakos, M. de Wit, Clasie ©, Mijnans, Reijnders, Odgaard (Lahdo 68), van Brederode (Mihaliovic 80), Pavlidis
Subs: Verhulst (GK), Deen (GK), Yusuf Barasi, Bazoer, Vanheusden, Buurmeester, Meerdink, Goes
Goals: Reijnders 41
Booked: De Wit, Clasie, Ryan
Referee: Halil Umut Meler (Turkey)
Attendance: 62,471
