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Barça eliminated by Frankfurt; West Ham blow past Lyon

Sports Desk, Apr 14 (EFE).- Barcelona’s only remaining hope for a trophy in what has been a testing season evaporated Thursday as Eintracht Frankfurt prevailed 3-2 at Camp Nou to win the Europa League quarterfinal 4-3 on aggregate.

Frankfurt’s opponents in the semifinal will be West Ham United, who dominated Lyon 3-0 for a 4-1 aggregate result to book a spot in the last four of a European competition for the first time in the club’s 126-year history.

The other matchup will feature Rangers, who needed extra-time Thursday against Braga, and RB Leipzig, winners over Atalanta.

Barça had to come from behind to get out of Frankfurt with a 1-1 draw in the first leg and the Bundesliga side took the same approach at Camp Nou.

With just 25 percent possession, the visitors had more shots and led 2-1 overall at half-time on a penalty by Filip Kostic and a tremendous goal from Rafael Santos Borre.

Kostic increased the edge in the 67th minute and Frankfurt held Barcelona at bay until stoppage time, when Sergio Busquets scored from open play and Memphis Depay from the penalty spot to produce a score line that flattered the hosts.

Now second in LaLiga, Barça are likely to qualify for the Champions League without any undue drama, but that didn’t make their first loss in 16 matches any easier to swallow.

The first leg between West Ham – who played the second half with 10 men – and Lyon also ended 1-1 and Thursday’s clash in the French city was expected to be competitive.

But the Hammers cruised to a 3-0 win. Craig Dawson and Declan Rice scored in the final seven minutes of the first half and Jarrod Bowen added a third in the 48th minute. EFE

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