Frankfurt win 2-1 at West Ham
WASHINGTON DC: Eintracht Frankfurt is a step away from reaching its first European competition final in more than 40 years after beating West Ham 2-1 in the first leg of the Europa League semifinals.
The German team had knocked out Barcelona in the quarterfinals and quickly shocked West Ham when Ansgar Knauff scored 51 seconds after kickoff at the London Stadium.
Both clubs are bidding to reach what would be their biggest match in decades Frankfurt's last final came when it won the Europa League predecessor UEFA Cup in 1980, and West Ham's last game of that stature was the 1976 Cup Winner's Cup final.
An all-German final in the second-tier European competition is a possibility after Leipzig scored late to defeat Rangers 1-0 at home in the other semifinal match.
Leipzig had beaten Atalanta to reach this stage and is aiming for its first-ever European final. Both second legs are next week with Frankfurt and Rangers hosting.
In the new third-tier Europa Conference League, Cyriel Dessers proved unstoppable again in scoring twice for Feyenoord as the Dutch team beat Marseille 3-2 in the first leg of the semifinals. Dessers tops the scoring table with 10 goals.
In the other semifinal match, Roma manager Jos Mourinho and his apprentice, Leicester coach Brendan Rodgers, embraced each other at the sideline after their teams finished in a 1-1 draw. Rodgers was appointed to Chelsea's academy during Mourinho's first stint with the London club.
The second-leg games are scheduled next Thursday. EUROPA LEAGUE Frankfurt had a dream start in London.
The visitors got the ball for the first time with West Ham defense letting Rafael Borr in the area to cross for Knauff at the far post to stun the hosts within the opening minute.
It was Knauff 's second goal in the competition this season after netting in the 1-1 draw in the first leg against Barcelona.
Michail Antonio, who returned to the starting lineup after being rested by manager David Moyes in Sunday's 1-0 loss to Chelsea, canceled out the early lead.