West Ham cruise to the Europa League quarter-finals

• West Ham United defeated Sevilla 2-0 in the second leg to ensure a 2-1 aggregate in the Europa League last-16
• West Ham have booked their place in the last-eight for the first time in a major European tournament since 1981
• Andriy Yamolenko scored the winning goal in the second leg at the London Stadium in extra time 

West Ham United have advanced to the last-eight of the UEFA Europa League at the expense of Sevilla.

Andriy Yarmolenko scored in extra-time to send West Ham into the Europa League quarter-finals, eliminating Sevilla with a 2-1 aggregate triumph on a dramatic night at the London Stadium.

Tomas Soucek levelled up the tie with a powerful header shortly before half-time, but the Premier League side were unable to find a pivotal second goal before the contest moved into extra-time.

With the match seemingly heading for spot-kicks, Yarmolenko stepped up to tap home a dramatic West Ham winner after 112 minutes and the hosts held on to win 2-0 on the night.

The Ukrainian substitute’s stunning intervention means David Moyes’ team have reached their first major European quarter-final since they reached the last eight of the 1980-81 Cup Winners’ Cup.

West Ham forward Andriy Yarmolenko celebrate after scoring against Sevilla in the UEFA Europa League clash at London Stadium on Thursday, March 18 2022. | PHOTO: Getty Images |

Pablo Fornals had a volleyed effort blocked during a frantic opening before Alphonse Areola made a stunning reaction save from Youssef En-Nesyri’s left-footed strike on 26 minutes.

The Hammers then went close at the other end when visiting goalkeeper Yassine Bounou made an excellent one-on-one save to deny Michail Antonio.

But West Ham finally took the lead on 39 minutes, with Soucek powering a firm header into the top-left corner after meeting Antonio’s looped cross, before En-Nesyri headed wide at the end of a dream first half for the Irons.

The hosts went agonisingly close to a second goal on the hour, Sevilla scrambling clear after Manuel Lanzini forced Bounou into a double save.

Jesus Corona then blazed over the bar at the other end on 70 minutes, which proved to be the last notable chance before the tie entered extra-time, with the aggregate scoreline still level after Sevilla’s 1-0 first-leg win in Spain.

Soucek missed the first golden opportunity of extra-time, nodding narrowly wide at the back post before Yarmolenko’s second goal in as many games sent the stadium into raptures.

The 32-year-old pounced after Bounou turned away Fornals’ long-range strike, tapping home to eliminate the six-time Europa League winners.

On the night that Sevilla overtook Benfica as the side to have played the most Europa League knockout ties with their 43rd such appearance in the competition, Julen Lopetegui’s men were clearly second-best to a fired-up West Ham side.

Sevilla, who are specialists in Europe’s second-tier club competition and sit second in LaLiga, have now been eliminated from this tournament for the first time since losing to Slavia Prague in 2018-19.

West Ham players celebrate after advancing through to the last-eight of the Europa League after defeating Sevilla 2-1 in aggregate in the last-16. | PHOTO: Getty Images |

Having netted an emotional comeback goal against Aston Villa on Sunday after returning from a period of leave following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Yarmolenko went one better to fire West Ham to a European quarter-final.

He has now scored 13 Europa League goals, the second-most of any Ukrainian player, behind only Junior Moraes, who has 14 in the competition.

In assisting Soucek’s opener, Antonio became the first player to hit double figures for both goals and assists in a single season for West Ham since Dimitri Payet recorded 12 goals and 15 assists in 2015-16.

Meanwhile, the striker became just the second Premier League player to score 10 goals and provide 10 assists in all competitions this season, after Mohamed Salah (who has 28 goals and 10 assists).

West Ham will now turn their attention to ensuring they are back in Europe next season, travelling to local rivals Tottenham for a huge Premier League clash on Sunday. Sevilla, meanwhile, host Real Sociedad in LaLiga on the same day.