LONDON: Mohammed Kudus scored two stunning goals as West Ham beat Freiburg 5-0 on Thursday to advance to the Europa League quarter-finals, where they will join AC Milan and Benfica. The Hammers trailed 1-0 from the first leg but beat Freiburg twice in the group stage and quickly looked to make amends for the defeat in Germany a week ago.
Lucas Paqueta deflected a corner at the far post before Jarrod Bowen headed home to turn things around before half-time. Aaron Cresswell then fired into the far corner and Kudus then took center stage to cap a fine night for the Europa League holders as their European adventures under David Moyes continue.
The Ghanaian ran from deep in his own half through the heart of Freiburg and the defense to finish fourth. And Kudus then smashed from the edge of the penalty area. The result was also a big boost to England’s hopes of five Champions League places next season by finishing as one of the two highest-rated nations for club performance in European competitions this season.
Benfica ended Rangers’ hopes of another deep run in the Europa League with a 1-0 win in lashing Glasgow rain to progress 3-2 on aggregate. In a game of few chances, Rafa Silva equalized from Angelo Di Maria 24 minutes from time and the goal stood after initially being ruled out for offside.
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Seven-time European champions AC Milan made it to the round of 16 with a 3-1 victory over 10-man Slavia Prague in the Czech capital. Already down 4-2 from the first leg, Slavia turned into an impossible task when Tomáš Holes received a straight red card after a VAR check for a stamp on Davide Calabria.
Three quick goals from Christian Pulisic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Rafael Lea killed off the tie before half-time. Villarreal ended Jean-Louis Gasset’s unbeaten run as Marseille boss, but a 3-1 win in Spain was too little, too late for the Spaniards as they led 5-3. Goals from Etienne Capoue, Alexandre Sorloth and Yerson Mosquera set up a grandstand finish, but Jonathan Clauss struck in stoppage time to put Marseille in the last eight. Liverpool should also book their place in the quarter-finals later when they host Sparta Prague at Anfield and lead 5-1 from the first leg.
