First Half
Michail Antonio scored twice, while Lucas Paqueta scored a penalty to make amends for his role in the opponents’ 26th-minute goal. Declan Rice added a wonderful third goal with a low strike at the end of the first half that began in his own half.
Gent were overwhelmed in the end after grabbing the lead on aggregate thanks to Hugo Cuypers’ first-half strike. Jarrod Bowen’s goal was disallowed for handball. It deprived West Ham a fifth goal in Europe for only the second time in club history.
As it stands, they have a sixth semi-final to look forward to, as well as the opportunity to duplicate the 1965 European Cup Winners’ Cup-winning squad. They have have major trophy drought that dates back to 1980 and their FA Cup victory over Arsenal.
It additionally implies that what has been a trying campaign for manager David Moyes may end in victory. Though the Scot will be fully aware that European victory would have to be backed by Premier League survival.
If West Ham gained anything from falling behind, it was Sunday’s spectacular recovery against Premier League leaders Arsenal.
Second Half
Nonetheless, no one will like seeing the replay of Gent’s goal, which was a collection of home mistakes. It all started with Paqueta handing the ball away carelessly deep inside his own half. Gift Orban’s effort to locate a Gent teammate culminated in a sloppy ball right across the penalty area. That is exactly where Matisse Samoise sprinted entirely unnoticed.
Samoise’s shot was terrible; it rebounded straight into the ground, and no West Ham player responded as it landed into Cuypers’ path. The Belgian’s shot lacked strength, and Nayef Aguerd, standing on the goal-line, should have saved it. Instead, he could only assist the ball in landing with his chest.
Antonio guided a near-post Bowen free-kick into the net for the equaliser. The goal that put the Hammers ahead was everything but, as Moyes held his head in his hands at one point, feeling Said Benrahma should have taken the second-half penalty.
Fortunately, Paqueta held his cool to make amends for his previous gaffe. West Ham’s semi-final spot was never really endangered after that.
Rice might become a West Ham icon
Who knows where Rice will be next year at this time. He is under contract with West Ham until 2024, with an option for another season, and club sources are adamant about keeping him.
However, significant whispers of a summer move to Arsenal linger, and while West Ham may win a third consecutive European season. It will not be in the Champions League, where the 24-year-old should be playing.
His goal earlier was fantastic. Rice traded passes with Paqueta after driving deep into Gent territory after winning a tackle 10 yards within his own half.
Finding none, and with the visitors standing off him curiously. The midfielder continued moving before unleashing a perfect left-footed effort across custodian Davy Roef and into the far corner. It was fantastic stuff, proving Rice is more than simply a shielding midfielder, as his England appearances have shown.
