Europa League (quarter-final return): Slapped by West Ham (0-3), Lyon sees its European dream fly away

Olympique Lyonnais sank. This Thursday evening, OL were very clearly beaten by West Ham (0-3), in the quarter-final second leg of the Europa League. At Groupama Stadium, Craig Dawson (38th), Declan Rice (44th) and Jarrod Bowen (48th) very quickly put an end to the hopes of Peter Bosz’s men, who nevertheless still had every chance after the first leg (1-1 ). In the last four, the Hammers will find Eintracht Frankfurt, FC Barcelona scorer.

Seven minutes before the break and three minutes after returning from the locker room. That is ten minutes during which Lyon lived a little nightmare, conceding three goals. Craig Dawson scored with a header from a corner (38th, 0-1). Since making his debut for West Ham in December 2020, he is now six goals clear of a lead in all competitions.

West Ham showed realism

Before Declan Rice drives the point home, just before the break, from inside the right (44th, 0-2). The Hammers captain has scored five goals in all competitions for West Ham this season, as many as in his previous five seasons combined for the club. Finally, just after the resumption, Jarrod Bowen also beat Julian Pollersbeck, with a cross shot from the right (48th, 0-3).

Realism, efficiency, everything has succeeded at West Ham. The Hammers even had the opportunity to give a little more scope to this already good score, but neither Pablo Fornals (18th), decisive double passer in this meeting, nor Michail Antonio (57th), nor even Said Benrahma ( 90th + 3) were unable to deceive the lining of Anthony Lopes.

Toko Ekambi had however found the post at the start of the match

However, OL had started their meeting perfectly. Karl Toko Ekambi, untenable, managed to put the opposing defense in the wind, almost every time he had the ball. It was even he who was the first to be dangerous, finding the post (5th). Before soliciting Alphonse Areola, at close range (27th). The French international goalkeeper then had a much quieter evening, despite a final dangerous strike from Malo Gusto, which forced him to intervene (69th), while that of Moussa Dembélé did not ask him to work (87th ).

Lyon has 67% of victories without Lucas Paqueta in all competitions this season (6/9), against only 39% when he is (12/31). Forfeited, then finally in the group, after a negative test for Covid-19, the Brazilian entered the break, along with his compatriot Tetê. The two men absolutely did not weigh in a meeting where the Lyon revolt never took place.

West Ham therefore joins the last four and will play its very first European semi-final since 1976. That year, the English club then qualified for the final of the Cup Winners’ Cup. For its part, Lyon suffered its biggest defeat at home in European competition after those against Mönchengladbach in 1974 (2-5), Rangers in 2007 (0-3) and Bayern Munich in 2010 (0-3). OL, currently tenth in the Ligue 1 standings, now only have the championship to try to grab Europe. The end of the season is likely to be very long.