EINTRACHT FRANKFURT reached their first European final for 42 years after a 1-0 home win on Thursday over 10-man West Ham sealed a 3-1 aggregate victory in their Europa League semi-final.
West Ham had left-back Aaron Cresswell sent off early on and Hammers manager David Moyes was also dismissed from the sidelines with 12 minutes left for arguing with the referee.
Colombia striker Rafael Borre netted the first-half winner on the night to book Frankfurt a place in the Europa League final on 18 May in Seville against Scottish giants Rangers.
Borre scored just after Cresswell was sent off, leaving the visitors a man down for more than an hour and needing to score twice just to force extra time.
Frankfurt had been dealt an early blow when key defender Martin Hinteregger limped off with a leg injury.
When a long ball put Frankfurt’s Jens Hauge into space, Cresswell pulled back the Norwegian, who went down just outside the area.
Cresswell, who was also sent off in the quarter-final first leg against Lyon, was initially only booked, but referee Jesus Gil Manzano brandished the red card after a VAR review.
Moyes responded by swapping Ben Johnson for forward Manuel Lanzini.
Yet Frankfurt went ahead in the 26th minute.
When the hosts attacked down the right flank, Ansgar Knauff’s cross found Borre, who fired home unmarked in the area.
Dogged defending in the second half restricted Frankfurt to just a handful of chances for Knauff and Filip Kostic, who caused havoc on the left.
West Ham had chances of their own and as the visitors pushed for an equaliser, Manzano banished Moyes to the stands after the Scot lost his temper.
Frankfurt, who lost to Chelsea on penalties in the 2019 Europa League semi-finals, are into their first European final since winning the UEFA Cup in 1979/80.
I’m sorry but the atmosphere there tonight in Frankfurt was 100 miles an hour from minute 1 to 90+5. Absolutely unrivalled and far better than any atmosphere you’d find in England, France, Spain, or Italy for the last and next 100 years to come. What a club, who just reached 100,000 club members mid-week too.. the 5th German club to do so.
Great performance by the whole team and a credit to the German model.
Hilarious watching Rice’s big gangly body leg it around hopelessly, and Antonio (even tho I like him) is a complete Junior B footballer gassed from the 50th minute hahaha.
Good aul Moysey showing his class by lashing the ball at a ballboy too.. what a donut.
@Ultan Corcoran: Was incredible to watch the atmosphere in there. The terrace was immense and the rest of the stadium just as loud, full of men, women and kids. Looked a real close knit club. Great to see!
@Johnny Mads: Honestly Johnny they’re just phenomenal. I know the Ultras invading the pitch isn’t ideal but why not it’s huge for the club. Dead right too, men, women and kids alk equally engrossed in the club and chanting along. I’ve no shame in saying they’ve the best fans in Germany, even better than Dortmund. I have to get to a game there sometime.
@Ultan Corcoran: That terrace was boozed up to their eyeballs so there was no stopping them on to the pitch. Seemed to go without major incident so can’t blame them for enjoying it. Seville will be lively!
@Johnny Mads: without incident…perhaps in the stadium but both set of supporters have been kicking 7 bells out of each other since yesterday around Frankfurt.
@Damien Leen: Haha ya i saw that lad. I was on about the pitch after the game. Was hoping that would go without incident with kids around.
@Johnny Mads: yea fair enough…dunno who the aggressor was first but they we’re both going at it fairly hard! Crazy stuff!
@Damien Leen: English media quick to make out the pub brawl was a ‘planned attack’ by frankfurt ultras.. pinch that salt !
I mean they reached a European semi final under David Moyes that in itself is an achievement that would have been borderline unthinkable two years ago
What a campaign West Ham have had. Proud of the players and manager COYI ⚒
@WHUFCLad: was Cresswell in the bookies beforehand? Tvvat
Once in a lifetime kinda season, Franfurt better team over the 2 legs.
David Moyes you footballing genius COYI