Staff Reporter.
West Ham opened their Europa League Group H campaign with a comfortable win at Dinamo Zagreb.
Michail Antonio set the Hammers on their way with his fifth goal of the season, latching on to an underhit backpass from Kevin Theophile-Catherine to round home goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic and slide the ball into an empty net.
It was no more than the visitors deserved after dominating the early stages against the Croatian champions.
Declan Rice sealed an exemplary away performance with a superb second on his 150th appearance for the club.
The England midfielder brilliantly won back possession and drove into the Dinamo area before despatching a powerful left-foot shot through Livakovic’s legs.
Bar qualifiers, it ensured a first victory in Europe for West Ham since 1999 and vindicated manager David Moyes’ decision to introduce several players into his starting XI for the first time this season.
Kurt Zouma and Nikola Vlasic both impressed on their full debuts for the club, while Ryan Fredericks, Manuel Lanzini and Issa Diop all appeared up to speed on their first starts of the season.
Meanwhile Tottenham came from behind to draw their Europa Conference League opener at Rennes.
In a game where the momentum swung throughout, Nuno Espirito Santo’s side opened the scoring when Lucas Moura’s low cross was deflected into his own net by Rennes defender Loic Bade.
The hosts pushed for an equaliser after going behind and found a breakthrough when Flavien Tait played a quick one-two with Serhou Guirassy, before curling past Pierluigi Gollini from the edge of the box.
Rennes had the better chances in the second half and took the lead on 72 minutes through a close-range Gaetan Laborde finish.
Substitute Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg found the bottom corner from Matt Doherty’s cross four minutes later to rescue a point for a much-changed Spurs side.
Dutch side Vitesse and Slovenia’s NS Mura join Spurs and Rennes in Group G.
Elsewhere makeshift Celtic let a two-goal lead slip as they fell to defeat against Real Betis in a Europa League thriller.
The visitors – back in Seville 18 years on from their Uefa Cup final defeat – roared ahead with a Albian Ajeti finish and Josip Juranovic penalty, with Jota missing a golden chance for a third.
It proved pivotal as Juanmi’s double helped Betis turn the tie with four goals either side of the break.
Anthony Ralston netted a late header but Celtic could not find a leveller.
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— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) September 16, 2021
Defeat in the opening game leaves Celtic third in Group G after Bayer Leverkusen fought back to beat Ferencvaros 2-1 in Germany.