With a late goal against Fiorentina, Bowen ended West Ham’s 58-year quest for a European championship

Jarrod Bowen’s 90th-minute goal gave West Ham a 2-1 victory against Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League final, ending a 58-year drought for a European championship.

Lucas Paqueta’s through pass allowed Bowen to sprint in and finish a swift assault at Eden Arena by beating goalkeeper Pietro Terracciano with a left-foot strike.

There were wild celebrations among the West Ham players as they danced in front of their supporters after winning the London club’s second ever European trophy and first since the original European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1965. Fiorentina were unable to respond despite over eight minutes of injury time being played.

“As you usually say, you want to score a winning goal in the last seconds. I felt I was going to weep doing it in front of these supporters, Bowen said British channel BT Sport. “Our dream was vivid. Myself included, this season hasn’t been the greatest. I’m ecstatic that we were able to provide these fans this moment by doing what we did for them tonight.

Even though West Ham only finished 14th in the Premier League, they were undefeated throughout their European run, winning 12 of their 13 games in the competition after qualifying. The victory also guarantees a spot in the Europa League for the next campaign.

West Ham coach David Moyes, whose position was in jeopardy earlier in the season as the club struggled and was in danger of falling into the league’s relegation zone, stated, “I’ve had a long career in football and you don’t get many moments like.”

After 25 years as a manager, more than 1,000 games, including stops at Everton and Manchester United, this is Moyes’ first significant prize. Since Alex Ferguson’s second Champions League championship with Manchester United in 2008, Moyes is the first Scottish coach to win a UEFA tournament.

Saad Benrahma gave West Ham the advantage from the penalty spot in the 62nd minute, forcing Pietro Terracciano to make a mistake.

Following a video review, it was determined that Cristiano Biraghi, the captain of Fiorentina, handled the ball there after Bowen had possession of it on his chest.

Giacomo Bonaventura’s goal from inside the box gave Fiorentina an equalizer five minutes later. After receiving a header from Nicolás González, Bonaventura fired with his right foot between two West Ham players, beating the goalie.

During the first half, West Ham threw items towards Biraghi, who was struck on the back of the head and suffered a cut on his scalp.

Biraghi was hit by empty beer glasses and other things as he prepared to take a corner, momentarily halting the game. While a stadium announcer pleaded with fans to stop hurling things, he needed to have his head wrapped to stem the bleeding.

Before the game restarted, several West Ham players crossed the field to ask their supporters to leave.

Just minutes after the team’s equalizer, Rolando Mandragora had an opportunity to give Fiorentina the lead but missed the target with a shot from within the box.

Ten minutes from time, West Ham midfielder Tomá Souek’s header was saved.

The first half was dominated by Fiorentina in terms of possession, and Christian Kouamé’s header off the post shortly before the interval almost gave them the lead. Although Luka Jovi headed in the rebound, the goal was ruled out for offside.

Declan Rice, the 24-year-old captain of West Ham who was likely playing in his last game for the team, became the second West Ham captain to win a European championship after the legendary Bobby Moore of England.

“This is your time,” remarked Rice, who is generally believed to be leaving the team in the winter, as Jarrod sprinted through on goal. “And then you see the ball strike the net’s back. I continue to feel shocked. It really is wonderful.

Given that they already won the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1961, Fiorentina has been waiting for a European championship even longer than West Ham. It was the first club to go to the final of four major continental tournaments, and it seemed to have done enough to force extra time before allowing Bowen to elude the offside trap and advance unimpeded toward goal.

Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Italiano remarked, “I honestly didn’t think it could conclude like this tonight. “We played well, created opportunities, and quickly tied the score after a penalty that might have ended the game. With Mandragora, we had a fantastic opportunity because we responded. Then, with a ball in play in the center, we failed to react appropriately in defense, and the game was gone. The boys were wiped out.

Since Arsenal’s Alan Smith scored the game-winning goal in the Cup Winners’ Cup final in 1994, Bowen is the only English player to score in a European championship final.

You may only catch the ball once if you make that sprint ten times. However, you must put it away as soon as you obtain it, according to Bowen. I had plenty of time, but I was sure of myself, so when I saw it go in, I was helpless. Since this is the greatest game of my career, there is certain to be emotion involved. I first believed that extra time would be necessary, but there was still time for a final opportunity. And I’m really overjoyed that we prevailed for everyone.