In a season of surreal – hard-fought, well-earned, but still surreal – moments, West Ham United somehow managed to top them all on Thursday evening.
The Irons produced a quite special performance on a special night to defeat Olympique Lyonnais – who had beforehand only lost once in the Europa League at Parc Olympique Lyonnais – by three goals to nil.
That resulted yielded a 4-1 win on aggregate against the Ligue 1 side - and a first place in a major European semi-final in 46 years.
Craig Dawson, Declan Rice and Jarrod Bowen got the goals either side of half-time to see the Irons’ exemplary character, spirit and quality receive its due reward in France.
“That’s special,” vice-captain Rice smiled afterwards. “Very, very special.
“We knew it was a tough place to come. We knew Lyon had top individual quality. We knew what we had on the pitch and our attacking players and with what we saw in the first game, in terms of going defensively, we knew we would score goals tonight.
“To get a two-goal lead, and then Jarrod’s come out early in the second half and put that one in the back of the net as well… it’s a special feeling.
“For all the fans, it’s such a great night.”
Manager David Moyes has often spoken about how his players have been learning from a multitude of new situations during their first-ever Europa League campaign, which will now advance to at least the semi-final stage.
When the Irons raced into a two-goal lead in a quarter-final before half-time, Rice admitted that the players took a moment to collect themselves – their concentration and determination to see the job done, making that outcome happen.
Rice recalled: “When Daws scored, we went 2-1 up on aggregate and with my one, 3-1, and then there was a little bit of breathing space.
"When it is half-time and it is 2-0, your heart is racing. You're only thinking about it still being 0-0 really, as you need to go out and give another strong performance. It was special tonight – it was so, so good.”
Played out in front of a passionate home support at Parc Olympique Lyonnais, it was the travelling 2,800 raucous West Ham United supporters – giving their all, like their team – left celebrating with their players come the full-time whistle.
"If you can't get up for these games you shouldn't be playing football,” Rice noted.
“The roar from the warm-up, it was spine-tingling really, and it gives you that fire in your stomach to go out there and perform.
“We stayed quiet beforehand, put in a performance and now West Ham are in the semis – what more could you want?”
West Ham will now face Eintracht Frankfurt – who defeated Barcelona 4-3 on aggregate on Thursday – over two legs for a place in the Europa League final.
Rice smiled: “I actually did German in school and gave it up after about two weeks! Most difficult thing ever!
"For Frankfurt to beat Barcelona, they are a top side. You can’t overlook that. They look a really strong, good side.
“We will be ready for whatever – two games again, but we want to reach the final.”
