Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Peter Bosz still have every chance to qualify for the semi-finals of the Europa League. Van Bronckhorst went down with Rangers on a visit to SC Braga (1-0), while Bosz managed to win a point in the away game against West Ham United (1-1). The game at the London Stadium was marred by field-entertainers. The match had to be stopped several times, much to the dismay of West Ham manager David Moyes.
SC Braga – Rangers FC 1-0
The winner of the diptych between Braga and Rangers will face RB Leipzig or Atalanta (first game 1-1) in the semifinals. Braga took matters into his own hands from the first whistle and put the will on Rangers. It led to the opening goal after half an hour of play. Ricardo Horta escaped the attention of the Scottish defense but saw his goal disallowed for a foul. The Portuguese goal would fall on the stroke of half-time. After an attack from the right, the ball ended up on the edge of the box for Abel Ruiz, who did not hesitate and hit the short corner: 1-0.
In the second company the entertainment value was significantly lower and both teams only sporadically managed to create small chances. Twenty minutes before time, Connor Goldson was close to the equalizer. The center defender towered over everyone on a corner kick, but aimed just wide. On the other side, Allan McGregor had a great save on a Horta bet. It was the first time since November 2009 that Rangers failed to produce a shot on target in a European match. Nevertheless, Van Bronckhorst still has plenty of prospects for reaching the semi-finals. The return is scheduled for next week at Ibrox.
West Ham United – Olympique Lyon 1-1
Another duel with a Dutch touch in the Europa League was that between West Ham and Lyon, the team of Peter Bosz. The Dutch coach started energetically with his team and was the dominant party in the initial phase. However, the first chance was for the home side. Saïd Benrahma encountered Anthony Lopes after fifteen minutes of play. In an otherwise not very uplifting first half, the devil was clearly in the tail, as the home team suddenly ended up with one man less. Aaron Cresswell seized the broken Moussa Dembélé and was able to attack immediately.
10 – Jarrod Bowen has become the first West Ham player to score 10 home goals in a single season in all competitions since Marlon Harewood in 2005-06. figures. pic.twitter.com/rggYpiG2v6
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) Apr 7, 2022
Against all odds, West Ham then took the lead early in the second half. After a defensive shot from Jérôme Boateng, a deflected shot by Jarrod Bowen was too powerful for Lopes: 1-0. Bosz decided to intervene and after more than an hour played Karl Toko Ekambi and Tete. It was tied two minutes after the double substitution. A pass from Tete could not be processed well by Ryan Fredericks, after which Tanguy Ndombele was there to finish from close range. Lyon went on the hunt for victory in the remainder of the game, but was unable to force a breakthrough.