In Pictures: Hammers take 2-1 lead to Alkmaar

West Ham United opened their UEFA Europa Conference League semi-final against AZ Alkmaar with Thursday's first leg at London Stadium.

David Moyes' men were looking to take a step towards a first European final in 47 years with a raucous home crowd behind them.

But after a cagey opening, it was the visitors who struck first with 41 minutes on the clock.

West Ham wanted a free-kick for a push on Paquetá but referee Halil Umut Meler played on and AZ midfielder Tijjani Reijnders beat Alphonse Areola from range.

The Hammers were growing frustrated, but a foul by AZ goalkeeper Mathew Ryan on Jarrod Bowen midway through the second half gave them the chance to get back into it.

Saïd Benrahma made no mistake from the spot, drilling into the bottom left-hand corner to make it 1-1.

Then, with 75 minutes on the clock, Declan Rice put the ball back into the six-yard box from a corner, Nayef Aguerd had a header cleared off the line and Michail Antonio reacted quickest to poke home.

2-1 was how it ended with the Hammers holding a slender advantage to take to The Netherlands

Click on the image above for a gallery of the action from London Stadium.

 

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