West Ham vs Freiburg LIVE: Europa League result and reaction after Kudus strikes twice including stunner
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West Ham have booked their place in the quarter-finals of Europe’s second-tier competition with an emphatic 5-0 win on the night, and 5-1 on aggregate against Freiburg.
The Hammers fell to a controversial 1-0 defeat in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie. David Moyes’ side were controversially denied a late penalty to level the match.
But in the return leg they fired on all cylinders. It started from Lucas Paqueta’s ninth-minute tap in to level the tie, before Jarrod Bowen, Aaron Cresswell and Mohammed Kudus also got their names on the score sheet.
Kudus’ first was the goal of the evening, a stunning individual effort that stemmed from him winning the ball by cutting out a ball inside his own half before running forward, leaving defenders in his wake to set up the shot and fire the ball into the corner of the goal.
In the pre-match press conference, Moyes insisted the club have been enjoying their recent European runs, he said: “If you want to be on the big stage, now is the time to act. If you can’t perform, don’t go on stage. From the first game we had in Europe, we’ve been on a good ride and no one wants that to end.” And the Hammers will have a chance to extend that after their win over Freiburg.
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Match report
David Moyes took the handbrake off West Ham and watched them race into the last eight of the Europa League with a 5-0 win over Freiburg.
Hammers boss Moyes uncharacteristically named an attacking line-up in a bid to repair the damage of the 1-0 first-leg defeat in Germany last week.
He was rewarded with a sparkling display as goals from Lucas Paqueta, Jarrod Bowen, Aaron Cresswell and two from Mohammed Kudus – including a sensational solo effort – secured a 5-1 aggregate win and a place in a European quarter-final for a third-successive season.
As a consequence the Hammers may have also done some of their Premier League rivals a favour, with the result pushing England ahead of Germany in UEFA’s coefficient rankings, which could mean an extra spot in Europe next season.
Kudus scores stunner as five-star West Ham ease to Europa League quarter-finals
Hammers boss Moyes uncharacteristically named an attacking line-up in a bid to repair the damage of the 1-0 first-leg defeat in Germany last week
Jarrod Bowen speaks after the victory
Jarrod Bowen spoke to TNT Sports after the match: “We knew we had to take the game to them. We knew there’d be goals if we fully went for it. It’s what we needed. We needed a reaction and we got it,
“Everyone thrives off it. The fans want to see it as well. Tonight we played on the the front foot from the start. This season we haven’t been consistent.
“We got ourselves so far ahead it was pretty comfortable in the end.
“I’m so happy for him [Kudus]. He has that quality in him. He’s so sharp. He deserves everything.”
On his England selection: “I found out this morning. I haven’t scored in the Europa League so that was in the front of my mind.”
Full time: West Ham 5-0 Freiburg (5-1)
FT: That has been an absolute masterclass from West Ham, they did not look the same side at all as they had in Germany.
Paqueta put the hosts ahead and levelled the tie in only the ninth minute of the match and the Hammers never looked back, with Kudus capping off the result with two late goals.
West Ham have reached a European quarter-final for the third successive season.
There might be doubts about the manager but he has brought European success to east London.
West Ham 5-0 Freiburg (5-1)
90+1: Fortunately for Freiburg there will be just two minutes of added time at the end of the match.
West Ham 5-0 Freiburg (5-1)
89 mins: West Ham have not slowed down and they have just kept going. Another corner from Cresswell threatens before a free-kick is given away.
West Ham 5-0 Freiburg (5-1)
86 mins: That will also be his last involvement in the match, so no chance of a hat-trick and Alvarez has come off for Phillips, Bowen comes off for youngster Murphy and Ings has come on for Kudus.
GOAL! Kudus has his second! West Ham 5-0 Freiburg (5-1)
GOAL! Kudus scores another great goal! This is turning into a rout!
Soucek just played it across and a quick one-two with Bowen set up Kudus who made no mistakes taking a touch before firing into the back of the net for his second and his side’s fifth!
West Ham 4-0 Freiburg (4-1)
82 mins: West Ham are preparing more changes, including potentially Kalvin Phillips.
Freiburg try and mount another attack, and managed to get the cross in but it’s easily headed clear by Zouma.
West Ham 4-0 Freiburg (4-1)
79 mins: In the aftermath of that, Antonio has come off, and that might just be an indication that it’s job done from the home side.
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