As our UEFA Europa Conference League group-stage campaign gets underway against FCSB on Thursday at London Stadium, it is time to look back at last year’s group stage campaign in Europe.
Drawn into Group H of Europa League alongside Rapid Vienna, Dinamo Zagreb and Genk, the Hammers topped the group, with four wins and a draw – falling to just one defeat in our final group game.
Memorably, the Hammers would advance and beat Sevilla and Lyon in the knockouts before a narrow defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt at the semi-final stage.
Ahead of the first group-stage match of our second consecutive European outing - with tickets available from £10 Juniors and £19 Adults - here are the highlights from our six group-stage matches last campaign…
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Thursday 16 September 2021 - Rice Rice Baby v Dinamo Zagreb (a)
After Michail Antonio rounded the Dinamo Zagreb goalkeeper to break the deadlock on 20 minutes, Declan Rice stole the plaudits on Matchday One with a superb solo strike.
The Hammers skipper pinched the ball inside his own half and burst forward in trademark fashion. He then powered past a defender, before charging into the Dinamo Zagreb penalty area. A nutmeg with his left-foot rounded off a memorable solo run from the Hammers No41.
Thursday 30 September 2021 - First win at London Stadium v Rapid Vienna (h)
After Declan Rice and Craig Dawson had seen headers strike the post, the two goal scorers from Matchday One combined to net the opener.
Rice started the move, before Andriy Yarmolenko swung the ball into the path of Michail Antonio. The Hammers No9 then controlled the ball beautifully and picked out Rice, who was on hand to tap in the opener from close range – his second goal in two consecutive European matches.
After Pablo Fornals and Jarrod Bowen had both gone close, Saïd Benrahma rolled the Hammers second of night into the far corner to settle a 2-0 win against Rapid Vienna in injury-time.
Thursday 21 October 2021 – Three of the best v Genk (h)
The Hammers went six points clear at the top of Group H after a convincing win over Genk.
Alphonse Areola made a crucial early save, before West Ham United settled into their second group-stage match in east London.
Craig Dawson headed in the opening goal from an Aaron Cresswell corner before the break, while Issa Diop added the second, finishing another well-worked set-piece.
Just two minutes after Diop struck, Jarrod Bowen added the third of the night. Invited to shoot, the England forward found the bottom corner to round off a comfortable victory.
Thursday November 4 2021 – Benrahma’s brace in Belgium v Genk (a)
The Hammers fell behind after just four minutes but battled to secure a point in a tough away fixture.
After a crucial save to keep the game at 1-0 from Alphonse Areola, the Hammers turnaround largely stemmed from the brilliance of Saïd Benrahma.
The Algerian picked up the ball on halfway and found Manuel Lanzini, who in turn picked out Vladimír Coufal with a delightful pass down the right. The Czech Republic international played a first time cross into the path of Benrahma, who made no mistake – powerfully driving a low shot past the keeper.
The Hammers No22 was back in the action to net one of West Ham’s best goals of the group stage. Darting into the area after a cheeky nutmeg, Benrahma caught the Genk defence napping and prodded home the Hammer’s second of the evening.
While a late – and exceptionally unlucky - own-goal from Tomáš Souček would see Genk restore parity on the night, the Hammers would be pleased to have taken ten points from their first four group-stage games.
Thursday November 25 2021 – Noble seals knockout spot v Rapid Vienna (a)
In a match played behind closed doors, the Hammers ensured they would top their group with a professional performance in Austria.
Andriy Yarmolenko scored the first goal, rising highest at the back post to head home a Nikola Vlašić cross from wide on the left.
The scorer of the first was involved in the second, as he was fouled inside the area in first-half stoppage time.
From the resulting penalty, Mark Noble stepped up and converted with a placed effort into the top corner from 12 yards.
Thursday November 25 2021 – Young Hammers show the Academy’s quality v Dinamo Zagreb (h)
With top spot secured after 13 taking points from the first five matches – and a place in the Europa League last-16 guaranteed regardless of the result - David Moyes used the match to showcase the depth of West Ham United's Academy.
While Mislav Oršić struck the sole goal – an audacious swerving effort in the top corner from distance – the result did not reflect the performance of the youthful side.
Sonny Perkins almost netted a late equaliser, but saw his late header go over as he failed to guide Harrison Ashby’s cross into the net.
"I thought the young players did really well and recovered after losing an early goal,” said Moyes after the match.
"I'm always happy to give young players a chance but they have to earn the right to play and none of them let us down - they did a great job.”
As a new campaign gets underway this week, make sure you're there for the start of our UEFA Europa Conference League Group B fixtures, with Romanian side FCSB the visitors to London Stadium.
With ticket prices starting at just £10 Juniors and £19 Adults, you can make it a night for all the family.
Buy your tickets now by clicking here, call 0333 030 1966 or visit us in person at the London Stadium Ticket Office.
