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Yarmolenko gives shirt to fan holding Ukraine flag after scoring winner to send West Ham to Europa League quarter-finals

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ANDRIY YARMOLENKO gave his match-winning shirt to a fan holding a Ukraine flag after he fired West Ham into the Europa League quarter-finals.

The happy Hammers beat six-time Europa winners Sevilla 2-0 at the London Stadium.

Yarmolenko sealed a historic win for West Ham in extra-timeCredit: GETTY
The Ukraine star spotted a Ukraine flag in the crowdCredit: PA
The supportive fan was given Yarmolenko’s match-winning shirtCredit: ALAMY
Yarmolenko embraced fans at full-timeCredit: REUTERS

Tomas Soucek drew West Ham level on aggregate with a first half header.

The game was taken to extra-time, where super sub Yarmolenko popped up with another crucial goal for his team.

Yarmolenko followed up team-mate Pablo Fornals’ shot and pounced on Sevilla keeper Yassine Bounou’s parry to make the game 2-1 on aggregate.

But whilst his team-mates were soaking up the electric atmosphere in East London, Yarmolenko spotted a Ukraine flag in the crowd.

And the international superstar gave the fan holding the colours of his country his match-winning shirt.

West Ham vice captain Declan Rice revealed the winger was emotional in the changing rooms after Thursday’s historic win.

Rice said: “Yarmolenko was a little bit emotional away from the lads afterwards.

“For what he’s been through to perform like this – his desire, the way he chased players and scored.

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“He deserves this. He stepped up. I’m delighted for him.”

Yarmolenko admitted after his crucial goal in West Ham’s 2-1 win against Aston Villa that he was finding it hard to focus on football amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The 32-year-old had to collect his wife and one of his children from Poland after they fled the warzone.

Yarmolenko has thanked Britain for their unwavering support of his country.

Speaking after the win against Villa, he said: “I also want to say thank you to ALL British people because we feel you support us and really, thank you.”

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk

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