West Ham vs Freiburg LIVE!
The Hammers close out their Europa League group stage campaign on home soil tonight. David Moyes’ side have already secured their progress for the knockout stages with a match to spare, though still require a point this evening to ensure that they seal top spot in Group A and a direct place in the last 16, with the runners-up facing a two-legged play-off tie against a Champions League dropout in the New Year.
Moyes will be eager to avoid that latter fate, with his side having been struggling with illness and fatigue of late amid a hectic fixture list, culminating in an embarrassing 5-0 hammering by London rivals Fulham in the Premier League on Sunday. He would ideally have handed a number of West Ham’s biggest stars the night off here, though the situation doesn’t allow it and they name an almost full-strength team with only captain Kurt Zouma and the fit-again Alphonse Areola on the bench.
West Ham can’t afford to take Freiburg lightly, despite their 2-1 win in Germany back in October. On a run of three straight victories across all competitions, Christian Streich’s side currently sit eighth in the Bundesliga and can claim top spot in the group by beating the Hammers tonight, having hit five past Backa Topola and Olympiacos in consecutive games. Follow West Ham vs Freiburg live below, with expert analysis from Standard Sport’s Malik Ouzia at the London Stadium.
West Ham vs Freiburg latest news
GOAL! Alvarez doubles lead before half-time
GOAA.. NO! Bowen effort ruled out for offside
GOAL! Kudus scores after fine Alvarez pass
Paqueta shakes crossbar with early drive
West Ham team news: Zouma and Areola on bench
West Ham 2-0 Freiburg
21:55 , George Flood
Standard Sport’s Malik Ouzia at the London Stadium
About as straightforward a night as West Ham could have asked for.
Alvarez and Kudus excellent.
Top of the group in Europe for the third season in a row and straight into the last 16 in three months’ time.
West Ham 2-0 Freiburg
21:51 , George Flood
Full-time
An easy night’s work for the Hammers, who bounce back from their Fulham embarrassment to seal top spot in Group A and qualify directly for the Europa League last 16.
Freiburg not at the races in a must-win game and they will now go into a two-legged knockout play-off tie against a Champions League dropout in the New Year.
The draw is on Monday.
[object Object] (AP)
West Ham 2-0 Freiburg
21:48 , George Flood
90 mins: Just the two minutes of added time signalled.
A very comfortable evening indeed for West Ham.
West Ham 2-0 Freiburg
21:46 , George Flood
88 mins: Moyes sends on Cornet and Kehrer for the final few minutes.
Off go Kudus and Coufal.
West Ham 2-0 Freiburg
21:44 , George Flood
85 mins: Emerson gets into trouble as he’s dispossessed in a dangerous area by Sildillia.
Rohl has it and his low cross/shot is well held by Fabianski, who denies Adamu the chance to prod in.
Moyes applauds his goalkeeper on the touchline.
West Ham 2-0 Freiburg
21:41 , George Flood
83 mins: A West Ham free-kick routine doesn’t work as planned between Ward-Prowse and Emerson.
Great tracking back from the Italian though to thwart the speedy counter through the middle from Doan.
West Ham 2-0 Freiburg
21:40 , George Flood
80 mins: Into the final 10 minutes at the London Stadium.
This has been such a comfortable night for West Ham.
Flashes from Freiburg in this second half but not nearly enough to turn the tide.
West Ham 2-0 Freiburg
21:33 , George Flood
75 mins: Fabianski’s first proper save of the night?
He gets down well low to his right to parry a decent effort from Doan.
Weißhaupt puts the follow-up wide of the far post.
Freiburg have sent on Kubler for Makengo.
West Ham 2-0 Freiburg
21:30 , George Flood
72 mins: Now a double change from Moyes inside the last 20 minutes.
Paqueta and Bowen are replaced by Mubama and Ings.
Moyes rightly resting some of his most important players now with three more games to come in the next 10 days, starting with Wolves at home in the Premier League on Sunday.
West Ham 2-0 Freiburg
21:29 , George Flood
70 mins: Great play from Freiburg’s young left-back Makengo, but his eventual cross is too high.
Freiburg have played some decent football at times tonight, but their execution and quality in the final third has been non-existent.
West Ham 2-0 Freiburg
21:27 , George Flood
67 mins: Noah Weißhaupt has come on for Freiburg.
Grifo off.
West Ham 2-0 Freiburg
21:22 , George Flood
64 mins: This has probably been Freiburg’s best spell of the game so far as they put more pressure on West Ham and force another corner, but it comes to nothing.
West Ham 2-0 Freiburg
21:22 , George Flood
62 mins: Some signs of life from Freiburg as Grifo goes down softly in the box under pressure from Coufal. No penalty.
They force a corner and look to test Fabianski, but West Ham preserve their clean sheet for now.
West Ham 2-0 Freiburg
21:18 , George Flood
59 mins: West Ham are absolutely purring here as we approach the hour mark – they look like scoring every time they come forward.
Paqueta, Bowen and Kudus all having a great time out there.
What a difference from Sunday’s humiliation at Craven Cottage.
Freiburg can count themselves very fortunate if this isn’t four or five.
West Ham 2-0 Freiburg
21:16 , George Flood
56 mins: Two more changes from Freiburg now.
Eggestein and Gregoritsch are replaced by Adamu and Holer.
West Ham 2-0 Freiburg
21:13 , George Flood
54 mins: So good from Kudus, who is a real player.
The Ghana international combines nicely with Bowen, drifting across the box and leaving several defenders trailing in his wake before shooting agonisingly wide of the back post.
Alvarez’s impressive night is over. He’s replaced by Fornals.
Moyes no doubt grateful for the chance to rest the Mexican after that recent bout of illness.
West Ham 2-0 Freiburg
21:11 , George Flood
Standard Sport’s Malik Ouzia at the London Stadium
3-0 really would have been feet up time and Bowen can’t believe he’s missed.
Even so, looks like David Moyes is comfortable enough to start resting one or two. Pablo Fornals is imminent.
West Ham 2-0 Freiburg
21:11 , George Flood
52 mins: That should be 3-0 to West Ham as Coufal plays a delicious cross into Bowen.
However, I think the ball takes a slight nick off defender Ginter and drives into Bowen, onto the ground and over.
Huge chance.
West Ham 2-0 Freiburg
21:09 , George Flood
50 mins: The fleet-footed Paqueta is enjoying himself tonight with plenty of eye-catching flicks, tricks and stylish passes.
But a simple one then goes horribly astray as he gifts it straight to substitute Rohl, who charges forward before a low drive is held by Fabianski.
Paqueta raises a hand in apology to his team-mates.
West Ham 2-0 Freiburg
21:06 , George Flood
48 mins: West Ham pick up right where they left off as Kudus gets to the byline and pulls back dangerously.
Freiburg survive but the Hammers pile the pressure back on and Paqueta feeds Emerson, who is denied by Atubolu.
West Ham 2-0 Freiburg
21:03 , George Flood
45 mins: Players back out and we have resumed for the second half at the London Stadium.
One half-time change from Freiburg boss Christian Streich, who replaces Sallai with Rohl.
That reverses one of his two changes for this game.
Watch: Edson Alvarez nets first West Ham goal
21:02 , George Flood
Here is that first West Ham goal from Edson Alvarez…
Yet another former Ajax player is on the scoresheet!
Edson Alvarez extends West Ham’s lead to 2-0 over Freiburg through a wonderfully worked goal 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/9kNyVTPjQ0
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 14, 2023
West Ham 2-0 Freiburg
20:55 , George Flood
That was Edson Alvarez’s very first goal in any competition for West Ham since his £32million summer move from Ajax.
A great early assist for Kudus, too. What a half from the Mexican, who has suddenly found his attacking groove.
West Ham 2-0 Freiburg
20:48 , George Flood
Half-time
Goals from Kudus and Alvarez have the Hammers cruising into the Europa League last 16 as group winners.And it could have been even better, with Bowen denied by the offside flag and Paqueta rattling the crossbar early.
Freiburg pretty at times but largely flat and unthreatening. They are heading for the knockout play-off round bar an extraordinary comeback.
Surely game over with West Ham only needing a point?
West Ham 2-0 Freiburg
20:47 , George Flood
Standard Sport’s Malik Ouzia at the London Stadium
Can someone go and find that line I wrote about Alvarez and delete it please?
Where has this come from?
West Ham 2-0 Freiburg
20:47 , George Flood
45 mins: Just one minute of added time signalled at the London Stadium.
Freiburg need time to regroup and rethink here.
They have an absolute mountain to climb if they are to avoid the play-off round.
GOAL! West Ham 2-0 Freiburg | Edson Alvarez 42′
20:42 , George Flood
42 mins: West Ham double their lead before the break!
It’s another brilliant goal, Alvarez playing a delicious one-two with Bowen after being found by Paqueta initially.
I think Bowen nutmegged Gulde on the lovely return there before Alvarez slammed beyond Atubolu from close range.
Emphatic. The Hammers surely now heading straight into the Europa League last 16 as group winners.
(Getty Images)
West Ham 1-0 Freiburg
20:42 , George Flood
41 mins: Better from Freiburg as Doan stings the palms of Fabianski.
West Ham 1-0 Freiburg
20:41 , George Flood
39 mins: Emerson cuts in off the left flank and takes on Sildillia, firing a low cross to the back post.
A bit of a panicked-looking dive from Atubolu, but I think he just about had it covered. Goal kick.
West Ham 1-0 Freiburg
20:38 , George Flood
37 mins: Bowen forces goalkeeper Atubolu into a sloppy error and West Ham are back on the attack, Soucek eventually firing well over.
West Ham 1-0 Freiburg
20:37 , George Flood
Standard Sport’s Malik Ouzia at the London Stadium
When West Ham won in Freiburg, several of the local German reporters told us that the home team had been a long way below par on the night so I was expecting a bit more from them here.
They’ve been pretty poor again, though.
West Ham 1-0 Freiburg
20:36 , George Flood
35 mins: Brief danger for West Ham 10 minutes before half-time as Freiburg work the ball nicely again and Sallai tries to tee up the lively Doan inside the six-yard box.
However, he was never getting to that and Fabianski gratefully gathers.
West Ham 1-0 Freiburg
20:35 , George Flood
33 mins: Freiburg pass the ball around well – Japanese midfielder Ritsu Doan is particularly impressive.
But they are asking so few questions of this West Ham backline.
West Ham 1-0 Freiburg
20:33 , George Flood
31 mins: Grifo tries his luck for Freiburg but it’s easily dealt with by Fabianski, who quickly sets up West Ham on the counter-attack.
Bowen has space to work with and tries to pick out the run of Kudus, who had gone early and is rightly flagged offside.
West Ham 1-0 Freiburg
20:32 , George Flood
28 mins: Freiburg’s French right-back Sildillia takes a poor first touch and then charges into a very bad challenge on Paqueta.
Lucky to avoid a booking, there.
Still some nice touches from the visitors, but no threat at all going forward at the moment.
Surprising for a team that have scored 13 goals in their last three Europa League outings, including back to-back 5-0 romps.
West Ham 1-0 Freiburg
20:28 , George Flood
Standard Sport’s Malik Ouzia at the London Stadium
You’ll give him the benefit of the doubt because the ball was turned over quickly but Bowen had time to get himself back onside there.
Given a draw will do West Ham, a second goal before half-time pretty much kills the game.
West Ham 1-0 Freiburg
20:27 , George Flood
25 mins: GOOAA… NO!
Paqueta flicks the ball into the path of Bowen, who races clear and beats Atubolu.
However, the offside flag is up and that looked the right decision on replay.
The VAR concurs. Still 1-0.
West Ham 1-0 Freiburg
20:25 , George Flood
22 mins: Goalscorer Kudus finds Bowen, who shoots offline from outside the box.
You sense there are more goals in this for West Ham if they want them.
Freiburg don’t look great at the back at all. 22-year-old Makengo certainly looks the weak link so far.
West Ham 1-0 Freiburg
20:23 , George Flood
Standard Sport’s Malik Ouzia at the London Stadium
David Moyes has spent the last five minutes on the edge of the technical area trying to pass a new boot to Mohammed Kudus.
He’s given up now and chucked it on the ground.
West Ham 1-0 Freiburg
20:22 , George Flood
18 mins: A rather muted response to falling behind from Freiburg, who have seen plenty of the ball but done little with it as Gregoritsch heads off target.
West Ham 1-0 Freiburg
20:18 , George Flood
Standard Sport’s Malik Ouzia at the London Stadium
Last week, I think I posited the theory that Edson Alvarez, excellent holding player that he is, would probably end the season with fewer assists than Alphonse Areola.
So that’s shut me up. Glorious pass.
GOAL! West Ham 1-0 Freiburg | Mohammed Kudus 14′
20:15 , George Flood
14 mins: The Hammers go in front early!
Kudus loses Makengo and is all alone as he runs onto a superb long pass from Alvarez, taking the ball on his chest and then losing his balance slightly as he rifles beyond Atubolu.
Perfect start from West Ham, who lead inside the first 15 minutes.
[object Object] (REUTERS)
West Ham 0-0 Freiburg
20:14 , George Flood
Standard Sport’s Malik Ouzia at the London Stadium
Interesting(ish) little tweak to the balance of West Ham’s midfield.
Usually it’s Tomas Soucek that plays as the highest of the three but James Ward-Prowse has taken on the advanced role so far tonight, looking to stretch things by running beyond Bowen.
West Ham 0-0 Freiburg
20:13 , George Flood
12 mins: Paqueta looks to weave his way into the Freiburg box and is brought down by Ginter.
He appeals to the referee, but that looked a solid challenge.
West Ham 0-0 Freiburg
20:11 , George Flood
9 mins: The game has settled down a bit now after that energetic start, with Freiburg sorting things out after an initial iffy clearance.
They are seeing plenty of the ball early, West Ham seeming content to largely sit off and try to pick them off on the counter.
Not a bad strategy against a team that know they must win here tonight to leapfrog West Ham and seal top spot in the group.
Wonderful noise from the away fans.
[object Object] (REUTERS)
West Ham 0-0 Freiburg
20:07 , George Flood
Standard Sport’s Malik Ouzia at the London Stadium
The technique on that from Lucas Paqueta. Woof. He opened the scoring in the reverse fixture in Germany and he’s very nearly done it again here.
West Ham 0-0 Freiburg
20:07 , George Flood
5 mins: Crossbar!
What an effort from Paqueta, who shakes the frame of the goal with a vicious first-time strike after West Ham got their foot on the ball and probed, Kudus getting around young left-back Makengo alll too easily down the right flank.
West Ham 0-0 Freiburg
20:04 , George Flood
3 mins: This has been a positive, lively start from Freiburg, who know they need to win.
Aguerd concedes an early corner that is headed over the crossbar by Hofler. Dangerous delivery from the left from Grifo.
Paqueta’s foul on Sallai gives him the chance to float into the box again, but this time West Ham clear their lines effectively and try to counter.
West Ham vs Freiburg
20:02 , George Flood
Underway at the London Stadium!
West Ham need just a point tonight remember to seal top spot in Group A and secure direct qualification for the Europa League last 16.
Freiburg will do that instead with a win, condemning the Hammers to a two-legged play-off tie in the New Year against a Champions League dropout.
Claret and blue vs all white, with Portugal’s João Pinheiro the referee.
This could be tasty…
West Ham vs Freiburg
19:58 , George Flood
The players emerge from the tunnel with I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles ringing out around the ground as usual, quickly drowned out by the Europa League ‘anthem’.
The away end is packed full of those excited Freiburg fans.
West Ham vs Freiburg
19:56 , George Flood
Standard Sport’s Malik Ouzia at the London Stadium
We’re expecting there to be thousands of empty seats here this evening but you can completely understand why.
West Ham are through, it’s a week before Christmas and there’s going to be at least one more European jolly to come in the New Year.
West Ham vs Freiburg
19:55 , George Flood
There is a huge pre-match show going on ahead of kick-off at the London Stadium, featuring no shortage of loud music, fire bursts and flashing lights.
I know this is a novel idea in the year 2023 but honestly, why don’t football clubs just let the fans generate the atmosphere?
Maybe I’m just old-fashioned.
West Ham vs Freiburg
19:48 , George Flood
Final preparations at the London Stadium, with just under 15 minutes to go now until kick-off on a chilly December night in east London.
Will we be treated to a pre-Christmas cracker to warm the cockles?
[object Object] (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
West Ham vs Freiburg
19:40 , George Flood
Standard Sport’s Malik Ouzia is in position at the London Stadium to offer his pre-match thoughts…
19:22 , George Flood
It’s fair to say the Freiburg fans have travelled in their numbers tonight as they receive a police escort to the London Stadium ahead of kick-off.
We should be in for some atmosphere!
(Action Images via Reuters)
(Getty Images)
Two Freiburg changes
19:16 , George Flood
I make that two changes from Freiburg to the side that won 1-0 away at Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga on Saturday thanks to Michael Gregoritsch’s second-half goal.
Manuel Gulde replaces Philipp Lienhart in central defence, while in attack Merlin Rohl makes way for Hungary international Roland Sallai.
(AFP via Getty Images)
Zouma and Areola on bench as West Ham name strong team
19:08 , George Flood
So that’s almost back to full strength from West Ham after the illness bug, with both Emerson Palmieri and Edson Alvarez back in the starting XI.
The only surprise is captain Kurt Zouma dropping to the bench, with Konstantinos Mavropanos – he of the costly blunder against Crystal Palace – partnering the ever-present Nayef Aguerd in central defence instead.
Alphonse Areola is fit enough for the bench after his wrist issue, but Lukasz Fabianski retains his starting berth in goal.
Aaron Cresswell and Pablo Fornals both drop to the bench with Emerson and Alvarez back, while Joseph Anang is left out of the matchday squad altogether with Areola fit.
Still no Michail Antonio due to that knee injury, as expected.
[object Object] (PA)
Freiburg lineup
19:01 , George Flood
Freiburg XI: Atubolu, Sildillia, Ginter, Gulde, Makengo, Doan, Eggestein, Hofler, Grifo, Gregoritsch, Sallai
Subs: Muller, Jantunen, Weißhaupt, Holer, Kubler, Adamu, Rohl, Rudlin, Baur
West Ham lineup
18:50 , George Flood
West Ham XI: Fabianski, Coufal, Mavropanos, Aguerd, Emerson, Ward-Prowse, Alvarez, Kudus, Soucek, Paqueta, Bowen
Subs: Areola, Ogbonna, Zouma, Kehrer, Fornals, Ings, Cresswell, Benrahma, Cornet, Mubama, Coventry, Johnson
West Ham out to produce another special European night
18:48 , George Flood
David Moyes is anticipating another special European night at the London Stadium this evening as the Europa Conference League holders hope to secure direct qualification for the last 16 of the Europa League – the competition in which they reached the semi-finals in 2022.
“The last few years we’ve had some really good nights at London Stadium. I think back to Seville and Alkmaar,” he said.
“Some of the games have been special, special nights for us. But we’re not quite at that stage yet, it’s still the group.
“We’ve won the group for the last two years and winning it three years in a row would be really tough because Freiburg are a good team.
“We’re in Europe after Christmas and that’s the most important thing, whether we’re first or second. We’ll try to be first, but that’s the big thing for us.
“The Premier League will always be first and foremost for me, but the cup competitions are something that we take as seriously as we can.”
(REUTERS)
Moyes: Gruelling schedule has caught up with West Ham
18:31 , George Flood
Here is what David Moyes has had to say about West Ham’s lingering illness bug and hectic schedule.
The tired Hammers play four matches in three competitions over the next 10 days, with home Premier League contests against Wolves and Manchester United sandwiched between the small matter of a Carabao Cup quarter-final trip to Liverpool.
West Ham also face league leaders Arsenal before the end of 2023.
“We’ve had a few people with a bit of illness. We’ve still got a few lingering with it in the last day or two, but we think we’re OK,” Moyes said.
[object Object] (REUTERS)
“I don’t think it’s anything that will keep people out for weeks or anything like that, there has just been a bit of sickness and all sorts going on. It’s just been keeping us under the weather a little bit.
“I obviously didn’t enjoy the weekend’s game. Whatever happened before that doesn’t make it any easier.
“We’ve had a really gruelling schedule and the trips we’ve had caught up with us a little bit.
“Hopefully we can correct that and get back to our normal way which is winning and playing better than we did do.
“We had a little bit of illness that didn’t help with the chopping and changing. Hopefully we can get back to normality.”
Moyes decides on short-term risk for long-term gain
18:19 , George Flood
Eyebrows might have been raised when David Moyes handed his West Ham players two days off at the start of this week, writes Malik Ouzia.
It was hardly the orthodox response to a 5-0 pasting, particularly not coming from a manager considered to be among the last of the old school.
Then again, having laid the blame for his side’s embarrassment at the door of a hectic schedule and the fatigue it has inspired, he could hardly have had his players running laps of Rush Green.
Any respite, though, has not lasted long, with the Hammers back in action tonight and Moyes facing a Catch-22 of sorts.
Already safely through to the knockout stages of the Europa League, the West Ham boss might under different circumstances have been tempted to give his main men the evening off as Freiburg visit London Stadium.
Click here to read the article in full
(AP)
Group A permutations
18:06 , George Flood
The permutations are really quite simple in Europa League Group A.
West Ham are already guaranteed a top-two finish after their win in Serbia a fortnight ago and will top the group to qualify directly for the last 16 if they win again or draw tonight.
But a win for second-place Freiburg would see them leapfrog the Hammers at the summit to book their place in the last 16, condemning West Ham to a two-legged play-off tie against a side dropping out of the Champions League. The draw for the play-off round is on Monday.
Neither Olympiacos nor Backa Topola – who meet in Athens tonight – can finish in the top two, with the Greeks able to secure third place and a berth in the Europa Conference League knockout round play-offs if they avoid defeat.
Backa Topola need to beat Olympiacos to avoid being eliminated from Europe altogether this evening.
(REUTERS)
West Ham vs Freiburg prediction
17:58 , George Flood
The Hammers have been inconsistent in the Premier League of late but have largely impressed in Europe.
At their best, they should have enough to beat Freiburg again tonight and seal both top spot in the group and direct qualification for the last 16.
West Ham to win, 2-1.
West Ham team news
17:54 , George Flood
West Ham have been hit hard by a bug of late and were given two days off at the start of the week despite their humiliation at Fulham, with David Moyes concerned about the dual effects of illness and fatigue amid a hectic schedule.
He admitted at his pre-match press conference on Wednesday that some of that sickness was still lingering, but he expects most of his squad to be fine.
Ideally, Moyes would have again used this final group game as the chance to rest a number of his key players and hand chances to youngsters, as he has in the last couple of years, but that won’t be the case tonight with West Ham still needing a point to top the group and avoid yet more games in the New Year.
West Ham remain without Michail Antonio due to a knee injury, but Edson Alvarez and Emerson should be fit again after illness and Alphonse Areola back in goal after a minor wrist issue.
(Getty Images)
Where to watch West Ham vs Freiburg
17:50 , George Flood
TV channel: Tonight’s game will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 1.
Live stream: Subscribers will be able to watch on a live stream via the Discovery+ app and website.
Welcome to West Ham vs Freiburg live
17:44 , George Flood
Good evening and welcome to The Standard’s live coverage of West Ham vs Freiburg in the Europa League.
It’s the final group assignment for the Hammers tonight, with the hosts just needing to avoid defeat to seal top spot in Group A and qualify directly for the last 16 of Europe’s secondary club competition.
Lose, and David Moyes’ side will face an unwanted two-legged test against a Champions League dropout in the play-off round in the New Year – a list that includes the likes of AC Milan, Benfica and Galatasaray.
West Ham beat Freiburg 2-1 away in October, but have been struggling badly with illness and fatigue of late amid an unrelenting fixture list and were hammered 5-0 by Fulham in the Premier League on Sunday.
They could face a stern challenge against the Germans, who are on an impressive winning streak, sit eighth in the Bundesliga and have smashed 13 goals in their last three Europa League games against Backa Topola and Olympiacos – including back-to-back 5-0 drubbings.
Kick-off tonight is at 8pm GMT, so stay tuned for all the latest team news and live updates throughout the evening, with expert analysis from Standard Sport’s Malik Ouzia at the London Stadium.
[object Object] (Getty Images)
