The hallmark of the Hammers’ incredible Europa League journey has been one of defying the odds as the plucky underdog time and time again.
West Ham crashed out of the Europa League as they lost 3-1 on aggregate to Eintracht FrankfurtCredit: RexRafael Borre’s strike secured a 1-0 win for Frankfurt on the nightCredit: AFP
Coming from behind to knock out six-time champions Sevilla in the last 16.
Then holding on for a draw against Lyon with 10 men before stunning them on their own patch in the quarters.
What David Moyes’ men lack in quality, they make up for with personality and grit.
But there are only so times you can snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, as proven in this heart-breaking semi-final tie.
Frankfurt fans light up stadium ahead of West Ham clash with pyro display
With a mountain already to climb after a first leg 2-1 loss at the London Stadium, a grip on a first major European final for 46 years was lost after Aaron Cresswell’s 19th-minute red card.
And Frankfurt’s ruthlessness twisted the knife deeper in those who bleed Claret and Blue with Rafael Borre’s 26th-minute strike making an unlikely revival practically impossible.
By the end, even Moyes could not control his own emotions, getting himself sent off with 11 minutes remaining for an apparent ill-tempered altercation with a ballboy in the dug-out.
Regardless, there will be pride in abundance from this West Ham group and Moyes for reaching this stage alone. The east Londoners truly have put themselves on the map.
West Ham’s night was never going to be easy after the early red cardCredit: GettyAaron Cresswell was sent off with 19 minutes on the clockCredit: Getty
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Yet moments like this do not come around all that often, as bloodied and bruised fans of this club will testify to, with more pain than glory in their recent history.
Perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime chance for West Ham to earn a spot in the Champions League has slipped away. The retiring Mark Noble will not end his playing days lifting silverware.
And for Moyes, who admitted he was desperate for this to be “his turn” pre-match, that major managerial career trophy eludes him for another year.
A result like this poses more questions than answers. Will Declan Rice want to wait another year to play where he belongs among Europe’s elite?
Can the club now push on from this crushing disappointment with more smart investment to maintain a presence in European competitions?
For now, there will be tears aplenty, but one can only hope this will inspire these overachieving players to keep reaching for the stars for more occasions like this.
The electricity inside the fabulously intimidating Deutsche Bank Park Stadium before kick-off made the pre-match antics at the London Stadium look like a tea party.
Frankfurt pounced just minutes later to take control of the tieCredit: PABorre was a thorn in the Hammers’ side all nightCredit: AFP
The visitors attacked the end of the Frankfurt ultras in the first half, which could barely be seen through the masses of smoke, flares, confetti and mega-sized banners.
The flares were so vibrant that stewards were forced to put out several small fires just in front of the stand as West Ham too were attempting to dampen this visceral atmosphere.
Playing through the noise was going to be key, and Moyes’ prediction that Frankfurt would struggle to keep hold of their narrow lead looked a wise one.
Michail Antonio – the goalscorer in the first leg – was causing the hosts’ back three all sorts of problems with runs in behind.
Things got worse for Frankfurt as a collision with Antonio forced Martin Hinteregger to hobble off for Almamy Toure after just eight minutes.
The plan was working until one long ball gave Cresswell unwanted flashbacks.
The 32-year-old left-back saw red in the quarter final first-leg last month, bringing down Lyon’s Moussa Dembele as the last man on the brink of half time.
David Moyes was also shown a red card for kicking a ball away in angerCredit: EPAWest Ham’s thrilling run in Europe has finally come to an endCredit: PA
He obviously had not learned, tangling with Jens Petter Hauge on the edge of his own box. The Spanish ref blew his whistle and Cresswell thumped the turf, accepting his fate.
Bizarrely, a yellow card was shown, but the relief was brief as VAR asked Jesus Gil Manzano to check the monitor, and then out came the red.
There will have been some belief from Moyes and the bench that they could do what they managed against Lyon and grind out a result, only for the bubble to burst seven minutes later.
Ben Johnson had come on to replace Manuel Lanzini and plug the gap, only for Ansgar Knauff to break free down the left and square for Borre to convert.
But for a Kurt Zouma back-post effort cleared off the line on the brink of half time, West Ham’s reaction was muted.
For the first time in this competition, the comeback kids were doubting a miracle in the form of two goals in 45 minutes with 10 men away from home.
Antonio and Jarrod Bowen ran their hearts out, Rice marshalled until the end and the best chances fell to the weary Craig Dawson and Tomas Soucek.
Frankfurt fans were confronted by riot police after invading the pitchCredit: ReutersFrankfurt fans went wild with celebrations at the final whistleCredit: Reuters
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Yet Frankfurt, who also reached the Europa semis in 2019, used all their nous to see out a second half that never felt like having its ‘Bernabeu’ moment.
The dream is over. The boys of 1976 will not be eclipsed. But it was fun while it lasted.
