Daichi Kamada gives Eintracht Frankfurt the lead over West Ham United in the first leg of the semi-finals
David Moyes' team finished first in their group earlier in the competition before beating Sevilla in the round-of-16 and Lyon in the last eight. For a chance at the final, they faced a two-legged tie against German club Eintracht Frankfurt, who knocked out European favourites Barcelona in the last round, to get a shot at the finals on May 18.
Djibril Sow of Eintracht Frankfurt points to the club emblem in jubilation.Meanwhile, Eintracht Frankfurt inched a step closer to reaching its first European competition final for over 46-years after defeating West Ham United 2-1 in Thursday's Europa League semi-finals.
Eintracht Frankfurt won the first leg of the Europa League semi-final tie against West Ham United with a 2-1 win thanks to Daichi Kamada's strike.
Eight minutes into the second half, he tapped home as Alphonse Areola could parry Djibril Sow's shot to give the Bundesliga side a fifth consecutive away win.
After some poor defending by Pablo Fornals, it was a terrible start for West Ham United at London Stadium. Ansgar Knauff scored Rafael Borre's cross at the back post and gave Frankfurt the lead within the first minute.
Jarrod Bowen had a golden chance to level West Ham after 14 minutes but missed it after Tomas Soucek's play.
However, West Ham United did not wait for another chance as Kurt Zouma nodded Michail Antonio's free-kick. Antonio then netted the ball, much to the amazement of the home crowd.
It ended a streak of 10 games without a goal by the striker, as he scored last in West Ham United's 3-1 loss at Southampton in the FA Cup on March 2.
West Ham United's defence gave away the game.
The home side was left to think about Jarrod Bowen's two hits on the woodwork. The second hit with an overhead kick in stoppage time.
West Ham United was not at their best tonight. In defence, they were sloppy and gave Eintracht Frankfurt's midfield too much freedom.
Michail Antonio was the goal scorer and had probably had one of the best performances at the London Stadium in 2022. His pace and physical prowess were a constant problem to the Eintracht Frankfurt defence.
Jarrod Bowen, however, could have been the hero. Although he hit the post before Antonio equalised, his second attempt hurt West Ham United the most.
The German side, ninth in the Bundesliga, retook the lead in half two through Daichi Kamada (54) to win their second game in nine.
Both sides will be meeting for the second leg next Thursday in Frankfurt. The winner will play either RB Leipzig or Rangers in Seville in the final on May 18.
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