[dropcap]W[/dropcap]est Ham are the new champs of the 2023 Europa Conference League, their first prize in quite a while. They have now automatically qualified for the Europa League next season.
West Ham United declared as Europa Conference League winner after beating Fiorentina in the final by 2-1 played at the Fortuna Field in Prague.
The Serie A team suffered their second final defeat after losing 2-1 to Inter Milan in the Coppa Italia a few weeks prior.
Summary of the match
Fiorentina started the game well because they had more possession and showed that they were going to attack.
However, a nasty incident occurred on the corner flank when captain Cristiano Biraghi was hit in the back of the head with an object by a suspected West ham fan.
Biraghi got treatment as West Ham players needed to beg their fans to reestablish quiet before the match went on yet created no goal at half time.
It was the premier League side who got their most memorable genuine possibility in the game in the wake of being awarded a penalty for a hand ball by Biraghi.
As he sent the goalkeeper in the wrong direction, Said Benrahma took responsibility and converted the spot kick that resulted. 1-0 it was in the 67nd minute.
After five minutes Fiorentina gave a quick reaction as Giacomo Bonaventura evened out issues with a shot from outside the 18-yard box to make it 1-1.
In the 90th minute, Jarod Bowen, timing his run perfectly to score the game-winning goal, received a pass from Lucas Pacqueta and found him. The Hammers went on to win the game. 2-1 it wrapped up.
Emerson became the first player to win all club continental competitions in Europe, as well as the London club’s first trophy in 43 years.
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