West Ham United 2-1 AZ Alkmaar: Hammers fight back to win first leg of Europa Conference League semi-final

Said Benrahma and Michail Antonio were on target as West Ham came from behind to beat AZ Alkmaar 2-1 and take control of this Europa Conference League semi-final tie. David Moyes’ side were firm favourites to win on home soil and take a significant step to ending their 43-year wait for a trophy, but they were up against it after conceding a first-half opener to Tijjani Reijnders. Ad But they turned the game on its head in nine second-half minutes, Benrahma grabbing an equaliser from the spot before Antonio prodded home from close range.

TransfersWest Ham willing to sell £100m-rated Rice amid Arsenal interest — Paper Round08/05/2023 AT 22:39 Reijnders’ 42nd-minute goal came in controversial circumstances. The home side felt Lucas Paqueta was fouled in midfield but play continued as AZ broke rapidly and with Reijnders invited to have a shot and the midfielder found the bottom corner, although Alphonse Areola may have done better. The goal deflated The Hammers and it took some time for them to conjure up any kind of response.

Jarrod Bowen threatened with a shot from the edge of the box before former Brighton and Arsenal goalkeeper Mat Ryan gave them a lifeline when he fouled Bowen inside the box. Benrahma made no mistake with his penalty. Now with the momentum, West Ham grabbed the game’s all important third goal when Antonio stabbed in the rebound after Nayef Aguerd’s header was cleared off the line.