- Paqueta got the visitors off the mark with a leaping header within 10 minutes
- Aguerd scored at close range after Sallai levelled the score in the second-half
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Freiburg’s nickname Breisgau-Brasilianer – the Brazilians of Breisgau – is a nod to their historically pretty style of play. Yet it was Lucas Paqueta who sprinkled his Samba sorcery on this Europa League win for West Ham in Germany.
Paqueta was a live wire throughout as David Moyes’ men made it 17 European games unbeaten – a new record for an English side after they were tied on 16 with Don Revie’s Leeds from 1968 and Bill Nicholson’s Tottenham from 1972.
Paqueta put in a majestic performance, scoring the most towering of headers from a Jarrod Bowen cross after a nice passing move. The visitors then confirmed the victory with James Ward-Prowse securing yet another assist from a corner as Nayef Aguerd headed home.
It was particularly impressive as West Ham did it all without any visiting supporters due to a UEFA ban. They were up against 34,000 Germans, but stood tall. Watching from their living rooms in London, West Ham’s fans will have seen how their team is striking a good balance. It is one of prettiness and pragmatism. They can pass it well when they want to, but they can also score from set-pieces, as Freiburg discovered here.
Jarrod Bowen, on the day of his England call-up, started as a striker flanked by Mohammed Kudus and Paqueta. All three were involved in West Ham taking an eight-minute lead. Kudus linked up with Vladimir Coufal, who passed to Bowen. His cross was a beauty, especially considering it was with his weaker foot, and headers do not come more towering than the one Paqueta stuck past Freiburg goalkeeper Noah Atubolu.
Lucas Paqueta opened the scoring for the visitors within just eight minutes in Freiburg
Former academy keeper Noah Atubolu had a night to forget on his 12th start for Freiburg
The Hammers have now gone 17 matches unbeaten on their travels in Europe after last season’s Europa Conference League winning run
It was another lovely move by West Ham, much like the one that opened the scoring against Sheffield United on Saturday. Who says ‘Moyes-ball’ cannot be easy on the eye? The Europa-Park Stadion fell silent.
In the 11th minute, Paqueta slid a nice pass into Kudus, who cut inside and saw his shot pushed on to the post by Atubolu. After 14 minutes, Paqueta scored again, but his tidy finish from a tight angle was disallowed due to an offside, verified by VAR.
This match was being played on West Ham’s terms and in first-half stoppage time, Paqueta played in Ward-Prowse, who forced a save out of Atubolu.
Jarrod Bowen (right) played a key role in orchestrating West Ham’s opener from the right wing
West Ham controlled much of the tie, and looked to be cruising as the first-half came to a close
But after the break, Roland Sallai capitalised on a momentary lapse to bring the tie level again
Freiburg had managed one shot in that first half. It was all the way back in the ninth minute, and it wasn’t as if Lucas Holer’s effort was troublesome for Lukasz Fabianski.
However, after 48 minutes, it was 1-1 as Freiburg peppered West Ham’s goal. Fabianski made two super saves to deny Roland Sallai and Lukas Kubler. Yet at the third time of asking, Sallai blasted the ball into the goal.
The Europa-Park Stadion erupted, and Freiburg’s fans should have been celebrating taking the lead in the 55th minute when Kiliann Sildillia’s header bounced off the crossbar. Holer had the goal at his mercy at the rebound, only to balloon the ball into the stands.
A clever header from Nayef Aguerd pulled the visitors back into the lead on Thursday night
The Hammers have enjoyed a confident start to the season despite losing star man Declan Rice
West Ham were without fans at the Europa-Park Stadion as they observed a previous UEFA ban
David Moyes cut a composed figure in the dugout as his side extended their matchless record
Just as Freiburg were threatening to score a winner, West Ham made it 2-1 – another one of their corner routines. Ward-Prowse swung in his cross and Nayef Aguerd thumped in his header, with Atubolu flapping.
In the 90th minute, Paqueta shielded the ball fantastically before playing in Bowen. He should have marked his England selection with a goal but his attempt skidded wide. Not to worry, as West Ham won regardless despite having no fans here in Germany.
