Conference League roundup: West Ham's European run continues as last-gasp Basel advance
West Ham 4 Gent 1
West Ham United scored three goals in just eight second-half minutes to see off Gent 5-2 on aggregate and advance to the semi-finals of the Conference League, extending their unbeaten run in all competitions to four matches.
The hosts were in a buoyant mood after coming from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Premier League leaders Arsenal on Sunday, but their start to the game could hardly be described as fast and purposeful.
Gent ought to have taken the lead, or at least forced Alphonse Areola into a difficult save after eight minutes when Sven Kums’ inviting ball into the area somehow evaded the unmarked Gift Orban, who should have made some sort of contact from point-blank range.
This glaring miss was soon forgotten by the Belgians though, and with the half-hour mark approaching they took advantage of some woeful West Ham play.
After pouncing on a cheap giveaway by Lucas Paqueta in midfield, a cross was directed goalwards by Hugo Cuypers, whose volley went in off the shoulder of Nayef Aguerd, who was focusing so much on not handling the ball that he failed to clear it to safety and paid the ultimate price.
This goal stunned the home crowd, who have seen their team win all five home games in the cup this season, however eight minutes before halftime that familiar feeling returned when Michail Antonio rose highest to head home from Jarrod Bowen’s free-kick to restore parity.
Prior to this round, West Ham were the second-highest-scoring team in the Conference League with 30 goals, and they came flying out of the traps after the break.
Tomas Soucek saw his shot come back off the bar from close range before the lively Bowen’s shot was pushed around the post. This would prove to be the precursor to a simply sensational eight minutes for the hosts.
First, Paqueta converted from the penalty spot after Nurio Fortuna had handled inside the area before home favourite Declan Rice brought the house down when a run from inside his own half ended with the Hammers captain finding the right-hand corner.
With Gent dazed and wondering what had just happened, West Ham knew they had to keep their foot down, and five minutes later they completed the blitz when Antonio’s effort from inside the area found the top right corner to round off a remarkable rout.
Bowen was disappointed to have what would have been a deserved goal ruled out shortly after, but it mattered little in the grand scheme of things as the Hammers sailed through to the last four.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Lucas Paqueta (West Ham United)
Nice 1 Basel 2 (a.e.t.)
Basel progressed through to the Conference League semi-finals after a heroic extra-time comeback win against a resolute Nice outfit at the Allianz Riviera, sealing a first European final-four appearance since 2013.
A dominant Nice side took to the field with unwavering mettle, inflicting first blood on the visitors with just 10 minutes on the clock, thanks to Gaetan Laborde’s deflected effort that settled into the top corner.
Conceding early evidently hurt Basel, as they realised another catch-up task was on the books following their 1-1 comeback draw against Swiss Super League champions-elect BSC Young Boys.
As the visitors eventually found their feet, Nice were never going to be the ones to sit back, having scored first inside the opening half-hour for a fourth straight Conference Leage home game.
It was Laborde once again who came agonisingly close, this time from a superb left-footed strike that inched past the woodwork, much to the dismay of the home faithful. As halftime approached, Basel looked lost and out of ideas, eagerly anticipating referee Serdar Gozubuyuk to bring a halt to the game in a bid to recuperate.
With Nice failing to keep a clean sheet in their four home games in the cup proper, Basel maintained hopes of a leveller and had to wait for until the 87th minute to see a light at the end of the tunnel.
Following large periods of resolute possession play by Nice, the tie eventually came to life at the death, after Jean-Kevin Augustin thumped home the equaliser from inside the box to silence the Allianz Riviera.
With extra time beckoning, Basel found themselves inches away from scoring the winner just minutes later, only to see Zeki Amdouni crash his shot off the left post.
A whole different game was on display thereafter, as Basel emerged the stronger of the two and stunned Didier Digard’s men eight minutes into E.T.
A brilliant delivery from Darian Males fed Kasim Adams’ fantastic header, which the Ghanaian directed into the bottom corner to give his side the lead.
As Nice looked to respond, Billal Brahimi painfully curled a free-kick onto the crossbar, but the tie gradually faded away from the home side’s grasp, as they could do nothing but play second-fiddle and bid goodbye to their only realistic chance of playing in Europe next season.
In turn, Basel’s valiant comeback earns them just a second-ever European last-four appearance.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Zeki Amdouni (Basel)
