In a thrilling turn of events, West Ham emerged victorious in the Europa Conference League final, securing their first major trophy in over four decades. The dramatic climax came in the 90th minute when Jarrod Bowen scored the winning goal against Fiorentina, avoiding the need for extra time…
The match took place in Prague, and West Ham took the lead when Fiorentina’s captain, Cristiano Biraghi, conceded a penalty by handling the ball around the one-hour mark. Algerian winger Said Benrahma confidently converted the penalty, celebrating exuberantly with the team’s fans. However, their lead was short-lived as Giacomo Bonaventura equalized for Fiorentina with an impressive finish just minutes later.
Tension gripped both sets of fans as the game reached its closing stages, with neither side able to secure a decisive goal. But in the 90th minute, Jarrod Bowen made a perfectly timed run, receiving a well-weighted pass from Lucas Paqueta and breaking free from the defense. He calmly slotted the ball into the bottom right corner, triggering wild celebrations from manager David Moyes and the West Ham supporters in the stadium.
Jarrod Bowen
This historic victory holds special significance for West Ham’s captain, Declan Rice, who is expected to leave the club during the summer transfer window. Rice joins an elite group of West Ham skippers, including Bobby Moore and Billy Bonds, as the only ones to have lifted silverware in the club’s 128-year history.
The triumph in the Europa Conference League final marks West Ham’s first major trophy since their FA Cup win in 1980 and their first European title since 1965. Additionally, by securing a place in next season’s Europa League, the club has achieved qualification for European competition for three consecutive seasons, a notable milestone.
However, before the match, a concerning incident occurred as a group of Fiorentina supporters attacked West Ham fans. As a result, over 30 people were arrested, casting a shadow over the prelude to the memorable final.
