C3: Leipzig and Frankfurt on favorable waivers for the final

Fallen against all odds from FC Barcelona in the quarter-finals (1-1, 3-2 in Catalonia), Eintracht Frankfurt proved to be more realistic than West Ham, thanks to Knauff and Kamada, in a balanced and very committed match .

Leipzig, on the other hand, ran into the defensive wall of Rangers for 85 minutes, and dominated in vain until Angelino delivered his team at the very end of the match.

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Frankfurt can dream

Eintracht, which quietly finishes the Bundesliga in the middle of the table, is boosted in C3.

The Germans scored the fastest goal in Europa League history in London, when Ansgar Knauff tipped Alphonse Areola - PSG goalkeeper on loan this season to West Ham - with a header after 50 seconds.

West Ham midfielder Michail Antonio against Frankfurt, April 28, 2022 in London Glyn KIRK AFP

It took a quarter of an hour for West Ham to recover from this initial knockout.

Jarrod Bowen woke up his people by placing a ball on the post (14th) on a counter.

Seven minutes later, the Hammers returned to the match, thanks to a "kung fu" goal from Michail Antonio at close range following a free kick (1-1, 21st).

But Frankfurt did not give up.

In the 54th minute, Djibril Sow forced Areola to push the ball back into the feet of Japanese international Daichi Kamada, alone in front of the empty goal (2-1).

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Leipzig saved by the bell

Leipzig, which was announced as the favorite against Glasgow Rangers, totally lacked inspiration to destabilize the Scots, folded in front of their goal.

Without complex, the Rangers let the Saxons come and systematically destroyed all attempts to build the RB.

At the break, Leipzig had 67% possession, but almost no dangerous action, except for a badly hit recovery from Christopher Nkunku in the area (16th).

Upon returning from the locker room, the RB was a little more inspired.

Nkunku missed Leipzig's second real chance again, with a shot from 17 yards out from the fists of goalkeeper Allan McGregor.

It took until the 85th minute for Leipzig to finally cement their dominance, when Angelino volleyed a ball from outside the box that was cleared by the defence.

A goal "à la Pavard" which will force the Rangers to come out of their trench in the return match.

© 2022 AFP