The London Stadium witnessed a fairy-tale ending as Ukrainian international Andriy Yarmolenko scored an extra-time winner to overcome Sevilla and send West Ham into the quarter-finals of the Europa League. The Ukrainian striker pounced on a rebound from Pablo Fornals fierce shot to slot home a dramatic and emotional winner for the Hammers.
David Moyes’ side arrived into the contest with plenty to do, after Sevilla ground out a 1-0 victory over the Hammers in the first leg. And the La Liga giants would have doubled their advantage were it not for an astounding save from Alfonso Areola.
Ludwig Augustinsson darted down the Hammers’ right flank and found Youssef El-Nesyri on the six yard line, but the Sevilla hitman’s powerful effort was somehow clawed away to safety by Areola. His save proved to be vital as Tomas Soucek rose highest to head Michail Antonio’s cross back across goal and into the far corner to level the tie on aggregate.
And the Czech midfielder was inches away from winning the contest in extra-time for the Irons, but he could not quite crane his neck around the ball to divert Craig Dawson’s flicked header in at the back post. But Yarmolenko, a 90th minute substitute for Said Benrahma, was in the right place at the right time to score another emotional goal for West Ham.
West Ham had to dig deep and see out the final ten minutes of extra-time as Julen Lopetegui's side marauded forward in search of an equaliser. But the east Londoners were more than equal to the challenge and the London Stadium celebrated a historic result long into the night.
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Barcelona survived an early scare to squeeze their way past Turkish giants Galatasaray. The Catalans appeared to welt in the terrifying atmosphere of the Nef Stadyumu, as the home side took the lead through Marco’s incredible diving header in the first half.
Seemingly jolted back into life by the home side’s shock lead, Xavi’s side immediately took control of the contest and quickly brought themselves level. A free-flowing team move culminated with Ferran Torres sliding a wonderful pass into Pedri’s path and the young Spaniard jinxed his way past two defenders before slotting past Inaki Pena.
Barcelona emerged from the half time tunnel with extra fire and momentum and it did not take long for them to find a winner. Former Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was the hero once more, as he continued his outstanding start to life at the Blaugrana by tapping home a close-range winner to send the Blaugrana into the next round.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s first European defeat as Rangers manager was still enough to see the Scottish giants progress into the quarter-finals of the Europa League. The Blues travelled to Red Star Belgrade with a 3-0 lead from the first leg at Ibrox, but the Serbian giants ensured an uncomfortable evening for the Scots.
Mirko Ivanic’s excellent finish after ten minutes put the Serbians within two goals of levelling the tie. However, Rangers managed to regain their composure and their three goal lead as Ryan Kent found the net again in the 56th minute.
El Fardou Mohamed Ben Nabouhane scored a 93rd minute winner to give Red Star a late victory on the night, but the goal proved to be less than meaningless as Rangers were already home and dry in the quarter finals.
Meanwhile Eintracht Frankfurt’s bold decision to protect their 2-1 aggregate lead from the first leg came back to hurt them as the Spaniard’s levelled the tie in the dying stages through Borja Iglesias’ late goal to force extra-time.
Former Chelsea striker Jeremie Boga sealed Atalanta’s place in the quarter finals with a 91 st minute winner against Bayer Leverkusen. The Serie A giants carried a 3-2 lead from the first leg into the Bay Arena, but Boga’s superb solo run and strike ensured a smooth passage into the next round for the Italian giants.
French giants Lyon held on to a slender lead to overcome two time European champions Porto. While former Real Madrid defender Pepe ensured an uncomfortable end to the tie by cancelling out Moussa Dembele’s opening goal, the Portuguese giants could not break the French resistance again.
