European encounters at the business end of a season are often decided by the finest of margins, and don’t West Ham United and Jarrod Bowen know it.
Three years ago, Jarrod Bowen narrowly kept himself onside; the Hammers skipper racing in behind the Fiorentina defence to slot a gorgeous Lucas Paqueta pass into the Viola net in Prague.
Flash forward to April 2026, however, Real Betis fell agonisingly on the wrong side of the line, quite literally.
What is your favourite Pablo Fornals memory at West Ham?
Pablo Fornals has reached two European finals since leaving West Ham United. The Betis talisman will not be appearing in a continental decider for a third time in four seasons, however. Not after Braga pulled off one of the greatest comebacks in recent Europa League history at the Benito Villamarin.
Pablo Fornals will not be following West Ham United’s Conference League win with Europa glory
Fornals is back in the Spain squad and World Cup-bound, so influential he has been in a green-and-white shirt.
It would have been fitting if it was he who provided the assist which secured Betis a semi-final spot against Freiburg.
Fornals’ cross was put away by Abde as Betis, coached by ex-Hammers boss Manuel Pellegrini, raced into a 2-0 lead inside 26 minutes last night. A third goal, scored by the impressive Abde again, would surely have secured their progression.
As it was, Antony had strayed agonisingly offside in the build-up.
A night which will be remembered by Braga’s very own Remontada – the Portuguese visitors turning a 2-0 deficit into a stunning 4-2 victory – could have gone so very differently had Antony timed his run as well as Bowen did in the Czech capital.
A ‘total collapse’, as Diario de Sevilla put it.
Where will West Ham finish this season? 📈 And who will be relegated? ⬇️
Mind the gap, Tottenham Hotspur 😂
“It’s difficult to give explanations when you lose the way we did,” a stunned Pellegrini told reporters, the 72-year-old facing awkward questions following a dismal run of one win in 11 games.
“We played a very high-level first half, scoring two goals, creating chances, and they couldn’t get near our goal. A collision between our two centre-backs without any real threat [Diego Llorente and Marc Barta involved in an amateurish mix-up], allowed them to pull one back.
“And in the second half, we felt the spectre of a goal. From then on, total confusion. We didn’t pick up where we left off in the first half, we gifted away two goals, and we deservedly lost.”
Fornals, at least, still has the 2026 World Cup to look forward to.
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
