Freiburg 1-0 West Ham – Hammers suffer controversial defeat as hosts claim late UEFA Europa League victory

Freiburg take a lead into the second leg of their UEFA Europa League last-16 clash against West Ham, after surviving a last-minute VAR penalty appeal from the Premier League outfit.

The Bundesliga side did not look like scoring for most of the game, but The Hammers switched off in the 81st minute allowing Roland Sallai space to turn the ball towards goal and substitute Michael Gregoritsch to tap home.

There was little goalmouth action during the game, but West Ham looked the more dominant as the game wore on and Noah Atubolu was called upon to make a fine save to deny Jarrod Bowen in the second half.

The drama came five minutes into injury time when Noah Weisshaupt inadvertently handled in the box.

With his hand placed over his head when Tomas Soucek deflected a ball into his path, a penalty was expected when the referee consulted the sideline video screen, but instead he decided against awarding a spot kick.

The Hammers host Freiburg in the second leg next week.

The match as a whole is not particularly worth reflecting on, West Ham looked like they had the game at their mercy with the Bundesliga side offering very little threat in the second half, until the goal came. In the sense that The Hammers did not go for victory when it looked there for the taking they will feel responsible for the result. However, this is likely to be trumped by anger at the penalty call. There would have been sympathy for Noah Weisshaupt, who did not mean to handle and did not even see the ball until it struck his arm, but any onlooker when seeing the referee head to the video screen expected a spot kick to be given.

When VAR was first introduced, this decision would have likely led to a big debate over whether a kick should be been given in this scenario, but even the home side seemed resigned to it being awarded due to the glut of penalties awarded in similar circumstances over the past five years. It is possible, as Steve Sidwell suggested, the kick was not awarded due to a push from Tomas Soucek on Weisshaupt, which would make the decision a bit easier to understand perhaps.

There was no outstanding performer for either side, but the home goalkeeper was a solid presence throughout. Had he not stretched to tip Bowen’s shot wide midway through the second half it is likely his side would be going to London next week with faint hopes at best.

Freiburg: Atubolu 7*; Sildillia 7 Ginter 6, Gulde 6, Gunter 6; Doan 6, Eggestein 6, Hofler 7, Grifo 6; Sallai 7, Holer 6.

Subs: Muslija 6, Rohl 6, Kubler 6, Weisshaupt 6.

West Ham United: Fabianski 6; Coufal 7, Mavropanos 7, Zouma 6, Emerson 6; Soucek 6, Edson Alvarez 6; Kudus 7, Ward-Prowse 6, Paqueta 5; Bowen 7.

Subs: Phillips 6, Cresswell 6, Antonio 6.

30′ A GOOD CHANCE FOR HOLER! Sallai slips a ball through to Holer but on the half-volley he shoots straight at the Hammers keeper.

31′ BOWEN WITH AN OPPORTUNITY AT THE OTHER END! The Hammers immediately break and Kudus puts in a fine cross to the back post but Bowen does not get any contact with his left foot on the volley.

53′ OFF THE POST! Ward-Prowse’s corner is met by Mavropanos two yards out at the far post but he can only head against the outside of the woodwork.

65′ GREAT STOP FROM ATUBOLU! Bowen cuts in from the right and his effort is creeping inside the far post but the Freiburg stopper gets a fingertip to the effort and pushes wide. He then celebrates his good work.

81′ GOAL! FREIBURG 1 (GREGORITSCH) WEST HAM 0 Sallai received a pull back from Gunter in space on the edge of the area and he hit a cross-shot towards the back post which worked out as a perfect through-ball for Gregoritsch to tap home.

90+6′ VAR CHECK FOR A PENALTY! Soucek is hoping for a spot after the ball struck Freiburg substitute Weisshaupt’s hand which was above his head.

90+8′ THE REFEREE HAS GONE OVER TO THE SIDELINE TO LOOK ON THE VIDEO! The Freiburg man was off the ground, but his hands were above his head which usually would result in a spot kick.

90+9′ NO PENALTY! The referee decides it was not a penalty. The crowd roar their approval.