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Bruno Petković (Screenshot/YouTube)
ZAGREB, 16 September 2021 – West Ham United has punished Dinamo Zagreb errors to come away from Maksimir Stadium with all three points in their Europa League Group H opener on Thursday night.
The Hammers applied pressure from the opening whistle and took the lead in the 21st minute when defender Kévin Théophile-Catherine’s weak back pass to Dinamo keeper was intercepted by Michail Antonio who rounded Dominik Livaković and slotted home to make it 1-0.
West Ham controlled the half and and were better across the park both technically and tactically than the Croatian champions. They could have extended their lead with Croatian international Nikola Vlašić having two good chances.
Dinamo brought on Australian-Croatian striker Deni Jurić at half-time as they looked to get back into the game but once again a mistake would cost them dearly.
Captain Arijan Ademi would give the ball away to Declan Rice who made a run down the left, into the penalty area before firing past Livaković to make it 2-0.
Dinamo tried to get back in the match and had some half chances with Luka Ivanušec going close on a couple of occasions, but it was not to be their night.
Dinamo Zagreb head to Genk for their second match in the group on 30 September.
