TWO oblivious Gent players high-fived each other for their defensive work – then just seconds later saw Danny Ings sneak in to score for West Ham.
The Belgian side almost got to half-time with their clean sheet still intact against the Hammers in the Europa Conference League first-leg quarter-final tie.
But a bizarre moment between centre-back Kamil Piatkowski and wing-back Alessio Castro-Montes undid their hard work.
Piatkowski and Castro-Montes were high-fiving each other as Vladimir Coufal took the quick throw for West Ham.
The distracted pair were celebrating blocking a previous West Ham attack.
Coufal’s quick throw found Jarrod Bowen deep inside the box.
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The 26-year-old swivelled and sent a low ball across the six-yard box which Ings only had to tap home.
It was the striker’s first ever goal in Europe but replays suggested it was preventable from a Gent perspective.
Had Piatkowski and Castro-Montes not been celebrating their previous good work they would likely have snuffed out West Ham’s quick thinking attack.
Gents blushes were spared in the second-half as Hugo Cuypers equalised to leave the game level-pegging before the second leg at the London Stadium next week.
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Both sides could have scored a winner during a frantic final 20 minutes with Gent forward Gift Orban hitting the crossbar with a sensational overhead kick.
The 20-year-old Nigerian has been compared to Erling Haaland due to his recent scoring exploits.
Despite neither side finding a second goal, there would be late drama as Piatkowski was sent off for a tackle on Lucas Paqueta as the midfielder charged through on goal.
But a long-winded VAR check saw the decision reversed.
VAR also got involved earlier in the game to chalk off Nayef Aguerd’s strike, leaving fans furious.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
