West Ham lost their Europa League last 16 first leg tie to Freiburg, beaten 1-0 in Germany, but there was late VAR drama that denied the Hammers a penalty.
The Hammers had looked comfortable for much of the game, but a lapse in concentration saw them behind in the 81st minute after Michael Gregoritsch tapped the hosts ahead.
West Ham were given the glimpse of a lifeline late in added time. Tomas Soucek attempted to hook the ball over the top of Noah Weisshaupt and saw the ball hit the young midfielder’s raised arm.
But after four minutes of VAR review, the referee – who had been sent to the monitor – stuck with his original decision to not award the spot kick. West Ham captain Kurt Zouma and manager David Moyes were both seen discussing the incident with the referee at full-time.
However, Zouma would not be drawn on the incident after the game, telling TNT Sport: “I don’t know [if it was the right decision]. The decision took a bit of time and the referee took a lot of time. It is what it is. The game is over. I don’t want to go back to it now.”
The Londoners now have everything to do in next week’s second leg at the London Stadium – the fourth time the two teams will play each other this season, after also meeting in the Europa League group stages.
How West Ham were beaten in Germany
West Ham will now have to overturn their first leg deficit in next week’s return leg
In the opening half an hour, there was plenty of nice build-up, but little end product. But in quick succession, the two sides had their best chances. Manuel Gulde was found in between the defenders with a neat pass, but he did not catch the ball well enough as it bounced into Lukasz Fabianski’s hands.
Then, West Ham broke at the other end. Mohammed Kudus found Bowen at the back post with a fine pass but he also did not meet the ball with any real intention, and the shot bobbled wide.
The Hammers saw better efforts after the break. Kudus worked the goalkeeper after some fine solo play, before Lucas Paqueta bobbled an effort wide. From the corner, delivered expertly as ever from James Ward-Prowse, Konstantinos Mavropanos sent the ball onto the woodwork.
And in quick succession, West Ham should have gone ahead. Kudus once again played in a sublime cross, but Paqueta lifted his header over the bar. Then, after a fine break, Bowen stuck again on a better angle, forcing a fine save from Noah Atubolu.
But despite the Hammers’ chances and looking comfortable for much of the game, a lapse in concentration allowed Freiburg to score. It began with a midfield giveaway from Edson Alvarez, allowing the hosts forward.
Michael Gregoritsch slotted home late on to seal the win for Freiburg
The ball was eventually worked to Roland Sallai at the top of the area. His cross through the box was than an easy tap home for Gregoritsch, with his marker Zouma seemingly unaware of where his man had gone.
And there was more drama to come when, in the final minute of four added on, West Ham appealed for a penalty after Soucek’s hooked ball hit Weisshaupt on the arm. It took three minutes for VAR to have their own look, before the referee was sent to the monitor.
After another minute or so, he signalled that there would be no penalty awarded, as West Ham suffered defeat in Germany.
Opta stats – Gregoritsch’s fifth European goal of the season
- West Ham haven’t kept a clean sheet in any of their last 10 matches across all competitions, while only once have they had a longer run of games without one under David Moyes (15 games, between January and July 2020).
- Michael Gregoritsch has scored five goals in the UEFA Europa League this season – the most ever by a Freiburg player in a single campaign in European competition.
- West Ham midfielder James Ward-Prowse has created 22 chances in the UEFA Europa League this season; the most by an English player in a single campaign in the competition since Jack Wilshere in 2017-18 (23).
What’s next for Freiburg and West Ham?
Freiburg head to VfL Bochum on Sunday in the Bundesliga; kick-off 2.30pm.
West Ham host Burnley in the Premier League on Sunday; kick-off 2pm. Watch free highlights of the game shortly after the game on Sky Sports‘ digital platforms.
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