West Ham vs Eintracht Frankfurt

Hello, and welcome to The Athletic's coverage of tonight's Europa League semi-final first leg clash between West Ham and Eintracht Frankfurt.

West Ham level the scoring! West Ham have taken a lot of confidence from that equalising goal and are beginning to dominate the ball. 35' West Ham 1-1 Eintracht Frankfurt It is evenly poised at the London Stadium at the interval. Wow, what an effort from Benrahma! The midfielder beats a man on the edge of the box and surprises everyone by firing at goal. Benrahma proceeds to move the ball out of his feet before trying to shoot, but it flies well wide.

West Ham face a mountain to climb in Germany after Eintracht Frankfurt beat them 2-1 at the London Stadium in the first leg of their Europa League ...

West Ham had it all to do by the end. It was uncomfortable for West Ham. Eintracht simply had more to them. In the end the only consolation for West Ham was that they are still in the tie. The visitors were backed by a large travelling contingent and, more importantly, were not short of confidence on the pitch. This was their side’s first European semi-final since 1976 – through a strange quirk of fate, that was also against Frankfurt – and it was not a surprise to find the ground packed long before kick-off, the hairs on the back of the neck standing to attention when the home fans launched into a rousing rendition of I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles a the teams emerged. Eintracht Frankfurt were superior for long spells and, as David Moyes picks through a messy performance from his team, he will feel relieved that West Ham will have a chance of reaching the Europa League final when they travel to Germany next week.

A string of near misses and what could have been moments have West Ham trailing 2-1 after 90 minutes.

Even as he has struggled in front of goal he has run the channels with diligence, creating the space for Bowen to exploit as he had earlier in the season. It might have got worse for West Ham, Kamada's shot deflected off Dawson and against the post, but it would have been an exceedingly cruel reflection of this game in which the ball just seemed to bounce out of reach at the decisive moments. With a covering run from Johnson pushing ball carrier Knauff wide, Cresswell did just enough to deny the goalscorer a second, sliding in with a tackle that denied him the chance to get a clean effort away on Areola's goal. That chance was not representative of a match West Ham had begun to dominate. He cushioned the ball across to the back post where Antonio showed remarkable athleticism to strike the ball on the volley before Declan Rice could turn the ball in. That was not quite true but the 3,000 or so Frankfurt fans in the ground made more than enough noise to fill this vast bowl. The London Stadium, David Moyes' 12th, 13th and 14th men in the run to the semifinals, could not comprehend what to do next. Somehow Kevin Trapp contrived to get his fingertips on it, enough to divert the ball onto the post. But the bubbles had not even faded from the London Stadium sky before they were burst by Ansgar Knauff. As Frankfurt built down the left the hosts sat back, giving Rafael Borre the time to look up to the back post. It had been Eintracht Frankfurt who they had beaten on that occasion as their hosts were keen to remind them beforehand, Sir Trevor Brooking's goal replayed prematch and at half time as the club looked to rouse their supporters. And nothing more agonizing than Bowen's spectacular volley that thudded against the crossbar, down onto the goal line, the goal not given as the Hammers lost the first leg, 2-1. But something was not quite right, and the London Stadium could sense it.

Get a report of the West Ham United vs. Eintracht Frankfurt 2021-22 UEFA Europa League, Semifinals football match.

But as against Barcelona, we put them under pressure right from the off," Knauff told the reporters. "Tonight it was another highlight for us. We're in it to win it."

David Moyes' side have work to do in order to reach a first European final in 46 years after suffering a first leg defeat at the London Stadium.

This was as much a novelty for most of the players and coaches as it was for the fans. But West Ham are far from out of it. Criminally, they allowed Eintracht Frankfurt to snatch the lead early in each half.

Goals from Ansgar Knauff and Daichi Kamada secured a 2-1 win for Eintracht Frankfurt over West Ham at the London Stadium.

Brought down a long ball with ease but then wasted the subsequent shot with Antonio at the back post. Was eventually taken off for Benrahma with West Ham trailing the game 2-1. Was let down for the second goal by his defence but made a fantastic save to initially deny Sow.

West Ham United continue their bid to reach a first major European final since 1976 when they play the first leg of their Europa League semi-final against ...

Seventh in the Premier League against ninth in the Bundesliga with both teams having the carrot of knowing that if they triumph they will be just one game away, when the final is played on May 18 in Sevilla, from not only winning a major trophy but also qualifying for next season's UEFA Champions League. 80 minutes to KO: And now we have the Frankfurt line-up too. A real challenge ahead for West Ham, who are struggling to get a foothold in this game so far as the Germans dominate possession. His shot is saved by Areola, but Kamada is on to the rebound and taps it home from practically on the line. 25 mins: It has been a terrific response from West Ham but they cannot afford to let their guard down. Warning signs for the Bundesliga side though they show their danger on the break as Kostic races away after Bowen loses possession but his final ball to Borre is wayward. They deserved their goal and West Ham really are on the back foot here. West Ham needed some impetus to get back in this game and their man off the bench has definitely offered that. West Ham trying to build some late pressure but nothing comes from the resulting corner. That is exactly what Frankfurt did as they set their stall out from the off with a flowing passing move that got them in to West Ham's penalty area. West Ham now know they must win next Thursday in Germany to have any chance of going through. They had survived West Ham's comeback and equaliser to begin the second half still level.

Daichi Kamada's strike gave Eintracht Frankfurt the edge as they won the first leg of their Europa League semi-final tie with West Ham United 2-1 at the ...

Seventh in the Premier League against ninth in the Bundesliga with both teams having the carrot of knowing that if they triumph they will be just one game away, when the final is played on May 18 in Sevilla, from not only winning a major trophy but also qualifying for next season's UEFA Champions League. 80 minutes to KO: And now we have the Frankfurt line-up too. A real challenge ahead for West Ham, who are struggling to get a foothold in this game so far as the Germans dominate possession. His shot is saved by Areola, but Kamada is on to the rebound and taps it home from practically on the line. 25 mins: It has been a terrific response from West Ham but they cannot afford to let their guard down. Warning signs for the Bundesliga side though they show their danger on the break as Kostic races away after Bowen loses possession but his final ball to Borre is wayward. They deserved their goal and West Ham really are on the back foot here. West Ham needed some impetus to get back in this game and their man off the bench has definitely offered that. West Ham trying to build some late pressure but nothing comes from the resulting corner. That is exactly what Frankfurt did as they set their stall out from the off with a flowing passing move that got them in to West Ham's penalty area. West Ham now know they must win next Thursday in Germany to have any chance of going through. They had survived West Ham's comeback and equaliser to begin the second half still level.

West Ham United continue their bid to reach a first major European final since 1976 when they play host to their Eintracht Frankfurt in the first leg of ...

Seventh in the Premier League against ninth in the Bundesliga with both teams having the carrot of knowing that if they triumph they will be just one game away, when the final is played on May 18 in Sevilla, from not only winning a major trophy but also qualifying for next season's UEFA Champions League. 80 minutes to KO: And now we have the Frankfurt line-up too. A real challenge ahead for West Ham, who are struggling to get a foothold in this game so far as the Germans dominate possession. His shot is saved by Areola, but Kamada is on to the rebound and taps it home from practically on the line. 25 mins: It has been a terrific response from West Ham but they cannot afford to let their guard down. Warning signs for the Bundesliga side though they show their danger on the break as Kostic races away after Bowen loses possession but his final ball to Borre is wayward. They deserved their goal and West Ham really are on the back foot here. West Ham needed some impetus to get back in this game and their man off the bench has definitely offered that. West Ham trying to build some late pressure but nothing comes from the resulting corner. That is exactly what Frankfurt did as they set their stall out from the off with a flowing passing move that got them in to West Ham's penalty area. West Ham now know they must win next Thursday in Germany to have any chance of going through. They had survived West Ham's comeback and equaliser to begin the second half still level.