West Ham United have reached their first European final since 1976 after winning 1-0 against AZ Alkmaar in the second leg of their Europa Conference League semi-final, winning 2-1 on aggregate.
Pablo Fornals' stoppage time goal means they will head to Prague next month to face Fiorentina in the final.
Here is how football.london's West Ham United writer Jonty Colman rated the Hammers’ players against the Cheeseheads.
READ MORE: 'I feel' - Lucas Paqueta's West Ham admission and vow ahead of AZ Alkmaar second leg clash
Alphonse Areola
French goalkeeper Alphonse Areola was making his 14th start out of a possible 14 in Europe this season, keeping his place ahead of Lukasz Fabianski despite his first leg fumble that gifted Alkmaar the lead through Tijjani Reijnders. Similarly to his first half a week ago, Areola had very little to do before half-time, but unlike the first leg, did everything spot on, whether it be coming out for crosses or just be in the right place at the right time to get in the way of Alkmaar chances. Areola was needed more in the second half as Alkmaar grew ever-closer to getting the goal they needed, first denying Sven Mijnans from range, before rushing off his line to stop Vangelis Pavlidis going through on goal and do well to keep out efforts from Pantelis Hatzidiakos and Pavlidis. Threw his body at a late cross that led to bodies everywhere on the ground. His best showing all season. 8
Thilo Kehrer
Like Areola, Thilo Kehrer was among the four players in the starting side to have been signed last summer, having been preferred at right-back to Vladimir Coufal. Kehrer was given the tough task of marking the "Swedish Neymar" in Jesper Karlsson who looked the most probably man in the AZ side to score or create chances. While Karlsson did get some early joy, Kehrer also gave him problems to think about. One of two men booked for timewasting as West Ham ran the clock down at times with the tie in their hands. Made a brilliant second half block to cut out a big chance for the hosts and grew as the game went in Alkmaar's favour for much of the second half, although they did very little with it. A really solid second half. 7
Kurt Zouma
French centre-back Kurt Zouma was among those in the starting line-up given a weekend rest at Brentford, re-forming David Moyes' intended centre-back duo for the season, but one that has not played hardly any minutes together due to injuries to both of them. Zouma was his ever imperious self in the first half and got in the way of what he had to, with Alkmaar getting no joy centrally in attack. Made a great diving block to stop Jordy Clasie's 30-yard strike. Zouma was again excellent in the second half and put his body to a lot of big Alkmaar chances. His and Aguerd's partnership was crucial. 8
Nayef Aguerd
Moroccan centre-back Nayef Aguerd as one of only two players in the starting side to have started against Brentford to be in the side, hoping to improve after being at fault for both goals in the loss to Brentford. Given the nod over Angelo Ogbonna, Aguerd was immense in the first half, not just with his tackling, but his positional sense and aerial ability made him a tough nut to crack. Brilliant in the second half again and was the pick of the bunch, although there were many plausible candidates. 8
Aaron Cresswell
Aaron Cresswell started at left-back hoping to avenge his nightmare of last season's Europa League semi-final second leg heartbreak vs Eintracht Frankfurt, having been sent off in the first half of the defeat in Germany. Aaron Cresswell started the game well in his improved run of form at the back end of this season and often found himself in good positions to make clearances down the line and cut out a lot of AZ's wide play. Again needed his experience as he added a calmness in not just making clearances, but doing so with control and finesse. 6
Tomas Soucek
Czech Republic midfielder Tomas Soucek said ahead of the game that he had added motivation for the match due to last year's loss to Frankfurt. West Ham looked to make the most of his physicality, with Soucek the one West Ham pinned all of their long and direct balls towards. Battled and contested for every ball that came his way. West Ham relied on their physicality at times and Soucek was part of that. 7
Declan Rice
For captain Declan Rice, it was a night where he needed to add all of the quality he has shown for club and country and in recent years in what, with a semi-final exit, had the potential to be his last ever European match in claret and blue. Rice was the midfield lynch-pin for the visitors and while he lost the ball once or twice in the first half, he was the one who was quick to win it back, producing a number of important tackles, including one on Myron van Brederode. Excellent in the second half, driving West Ham forward in winning possession and attempting to start attacks. A captain of a side in a European final, not bad going for a 24-year-old. 7
Lucas Paqueta
Brazilian midfielder Lucas Paqueta was involved in controversy a week ago at the London Stadium when a shove into his back from Sam Beukema was not deemed a foul and Alkmaar countered to score their opening goal. Paqueta was the source of West Ham's main creativity before half-time and went on a number of galloping runs up through Alkmaar's spine to cause problems, although one or two of his passes missed their intended target, he looked like the danger man oozing in class. At times in the second half, the ball just stuck to his feet at times and he dribbled excellent throughout, making him so tough to dispossess. Classy on the big night. 8
Jarrod Bowen
Jarrod Bowen was the one to turn the game on its head a week ago when winning a penalty shortly after the hour mark, having been the recipient of a punch by Mathew Ryan to win a penalty. Although he was able to make one or two things happen in attack early on, the return of Milos Kerkaz from suspension appeared to shackle what Bowen was able to do, especially in the first half. Got more joy in his creativity going forward but should have had an assist but missed his passes. Battled well later on. 6
Michail Antonio
Michail Antonio, West Ham's all-time leading scorer in Europe, was back after a minor calf injury, having poked in the winning goal in the second leg. Better seen for his goals in Europe this season, Antonio's first half was all about creativity, using his strength to win the ball high up and start moves. Created two West Ham chances in the first half, the best of those leading to Paqueta hitting the post. Caused problems throughout until he was forced off injured late on. 7
Said Benrahma
Said Benrahma's second half penalty against the Cheeseheads a week ago gave West Ham the chance to overturn a flat game that was in danger of getting away from them, keeping up his perfect record from 12 yards for both the Hammers, and his entire professional career. Benrahma did not have the best of first halves, struggling similarly to Bowen on the opposite side. Had one good chance to test Ryan from range, but fired way over when he was unchallenged. Barring the odd exchange with Paqueta, Benrahma did very little and was taken off on 75 minutes. 5
Substitutes
Pablo Fornals
The Spaniard was bought on for the final 15 minutes of the game in place of Benrahma, who had struggled to make anything happen going forward. Pablo Fornals proved to be the hero and sealed win deep into stoppage time when finding himself in on goal after winning a tackle on the halfway line, slotting a low shot across Ryan and in. 7
Danny Ings
Replaced Antonio with little over five minutes remaining, as he was forced off through injury. N/A
Flynn Downes
Bought on late on after Fornals' winning goal. N/A
READ NEXT
The David Moyes omen that could be good news for West Ham ahead of AZ Alkmaar second leg clash
Angelo Ogbonna provides West Ham social media hint over injured striker after surgery
Former West Ham defender makes Declan Rice transfer statement amid Arsenal and Chelsea links
Howard Webb explains VAR decision in West Ham vs Newcastle United clash for Joelinton goal
David Moyes set to make tough West Ham decision for AZ Alkmaar second leg after Brentford defeat
