West Ham makes epic comeback against Gent, taking them into Conference League semifinals

By Selcuk Bugra Gokalp

ANKARA (AA) - English Premier League side West Ham United staged an epic comeback against Belgian club Gent on Thursday to take them into the UEFA Europa Conference League semifinals.

The English club secured a 4-1 victory from one goal behind both in the match and on aggregate.

A goal by Gent forward Hugo Cuypers in the 26th minute brought the lead to the Belgians, but things started going downhill from there at London Stadium.

West Ham forward Michail Antonio equalized in the 37th minute and the first half ended level.

Lucas Paqueta's penalty goal in the 55th minute brought the lead to the hosts, and just three minutes later, Declan Rice made it 3-1.

Antonio took the stage once more in the 63rd minute to score the final goal of the match.

This marks West Ham United's first semifinal achievement in the second edition of the European competition.

Italian Serie A side Fiorentina will face Swiss club Basel, while West Ham will take on Dutch team AZ Alkmaar in the semifinal round on May 11.

- Quarterfinal Results:

AZ Alkmaar-Anderlecht: 2-0 (Agg. 2-2) (4-1 on penalties)

Fiorentina-Lech: 2-3 (Agg. 6-4)

Nice-Basel: 1-2 (Agg. 3-4)

West Ham-Gent: 4-1 (Agg. 5-2)