Posted: 17:01, August 25, 2022 | Updated: 01:35, 26 August 2022
West Ham will embark on a European adventure this season after a night in which Gianluca Scamakka showed David Moyes why he should start on Sunday against Aston Villa. The club’s new £35.5m signing was the star performer as the Hammers defeated Viborg 3-0 in Denmark and 6-1 on aggregate to ensure they will compete in the Europa Conference League this season. West Ham are the only side in England’s top four leagues yet to score, but put their domestic worries aside to see off their Danish rivals. West Ham progress to UEFA Conference League group stage after 3-0 win over Viborg The result was just the boost West Ham needed after a terrible start to the league season Gianluca Scamacca put the Hammers in front in the first half with a fine finish on the half volley. Said Benrahma (second left) scored after the break after finishing Maxwel Cornet’s cross Scamacca was a handful throughout, setting up a striker’s goal to open the scoring as the visitors won this two-legged play-off tie. This represented a banana skin for West Ham. Memories of losing to Romanian minor Astra Giurgiu – twice – in 2015 and 2016 to miss Europe remain strong. But they faced no such problem on Thursday night, scoring their first inside 22 minutes. Tomas Soucek crossed and Scamacca’s run almost later saw him score, easing nerves among the 1,100 traveling fans from London. In the 51st minute, Scamacca’s header found Maxwel Cornet, who drove the ball behind the Viborg back line for Said Benrahma to clear. Benrahma coolly beat Lucas Lund Pedersen to find the left corner.
MATCH DETAILS AND SCORING
West Ham (4-2-3-1): Areola 7; Johnson 8, Kerrer 7, Ogbonna 7, Cresswell 7.5 (Zuma 82); Soucek 7.5 (Coventry 68, 6), Lanzini 7 (Okoflex 82); Cornet 7, Benrahma 7.5 (Downes 68, 6), Fornals 7; Scamacca 8.5 (Antonio 68, 6) Goals: Scamacca (22), Benrahma (51), Soucek (63) Bookings: Cresswell Viborg: Lund, Gaaei, Burgy, Zalatel, Sorensen, Bonde, Gronning, Leemans, Said, Cave, Lonwijk Reservations: He said Tomas Suchek added a third as he slotted home on the rebound to make it an easy night David Moyes will be pleased with the attacking intent from his struggling side After 63 minutes, Aaron Cresswell’s cross saw Timo Kehrer’s header saved. Tomas Sucek rushed to bring down the rebound. With that, Scamacca was replaced by Michail Antonio – perhaps with the Premier League trip to Villa on Sunday in mind. Cornet should have scored his first goal for the club when Benrahma unselfishly played the ball into his path instead of shooting. With an empty net, he skied his shot. That was the only downside to an otherwise straightforward night as West Ham ensured their fans enjoyed a few away days in Europe this season. Relive all the action from the night with Sportsmail’s live blog below
