West Ham‘s Europa League journey came to an end, despite giving Bayer Leverkusen a scare.
Michail Antonio’s early goal gave hope to the Hammers, who were trailing 2-0 from the first leg, igniting dreams of a comeback victory and a potential spot in the semi-finals.
However, they couldn’t find the crucial second goal, and Jeremie Frimpong’s deflected goal in the final minute dashed their hopes, sealing a 1-1 draw on the night and a 3-1 aggregate win for Leverkusen.
Facing one of Europe’s top teams, David Moyes’ side faced an uphill battle to overturn the deficit, especially against a Leverkusen squad still basking in their recent Bundesliga triumph.
Aware of the importance of a strong start, West Ham came out with renewed energy, showcasing a stark contrast to their lackluster performance in the previous home match against Fulham.
Although Leverkusen had the first threatening shot, West Ham’s breakthrough came in the 14th minute, as Jarrod Bowen’s cross found Antonio, who headed home amidst an electric atmosphere at the stadium.
The Hammers continued to press, with Mohammed Kudus coming close to extending their lead, only to be denied by Leverkusen’s goalkeeper, Matej Kovar.
Leverkusen’s coach, Xabi Alonso, responded by making tactical adjustments, substituting Kossounou before the half-hour mark, as tensions rose on both sides, leading to touchline altercations and the dismissal of staff members from both benches.
Despite West Ham’s persistent attacks, Leverkusen regrouped in the second half, asserting control and creating opportunities of their own, with Frimpong missing a golden chance to seal the tie.
However, Frimpong ultimately found the net in the dying minutes, with his shot deflecting off Aaron Cresswell, signaling the end of West Ham’s European campaign.
