UEFA Europa League: Semi-Final First Legs; RB Leipzig 1-0 Rangers and Frankfurt beat West Ham 2-1

Rangers travel to Leipzig in one of the UEFA Europa League semi-finals this week, while West Ham entertains Eintracht Frankfurt in the other. The UEFA Europa League final will be held in the Estadio Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán in Seville this season. On Wednesday, May 18th, at 21:00 CET, the game will begin.

About the UEFA Europa League Semi-Final First Legs

RB Leipzig and Rangers

Rangers were defeated 1-0 at home by RB Leipzig. Rangers are still in the tie, and the second leg will be a test of their mettle. Leipzig won their 16th match in all competitions in 2022, according to sources.

After half an hour, just when it appeared that Rangers were settling into the semi-final match, Leipzig came within a whisker of scoring when a fierce Angelino attempt was blocked by James Tavernier. Rangers may be pleased that the game was 0-0 at halftime. Leipzig, in reality, hasn’t been as dangerous as predicted.

In the last minutes of the semi-final, the dam finally burst. Tyler Adams, an American international midfielder, thought he’d scored when he created space on the outskirts of the box for a soaring effort that McGregor superbly deflected over the bar.

Leipzig have knocked off two top-tier European challengers this season – Real Sociedad and Atalanta after a round of 16 bye – but have been obliged to put in the most effort away from home, having drawn the home legs of both of those games.

Hammers and Frankfurt

West Ham United lost to Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1 in the Europa League 2021-22 season’s semi-final first-leg match. The Germans have a deserved first-leg advantage, as they return to Germany with a lead. Frankfurt took an early lead thanks to Ansgar Knauff, but Michail Antonio equalized. Daichi Kamada, though, scored the game-winning goal in the 54th minute.

When Knauff scored in the first minute, West Ham had the perfect start. Antonio restored the hosts’ lead as he bundled home Kurt Zouma’s far-post nod. After Djibril Sow’s low shot, Kamada tapped home to give his team a 2-1 lead. West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen and Said Benrahma both came close to scoring, but the goals were not forthcoming.

Frankfurt has maintained its unblemished streak in the Europa League this season. Frankfurt had won Group D with a total of 12 points (W3 D3 L0). They scored ten goals while surrendering six. They beat Real Betis 2-1 in the first leg of the round of 16 before drawing 1-1 in the second. Frankfurt defeated Barcelona by a score of 4-3 over two legs.

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