West Ham 2-0 Rapid Vienna: Declan Rice and Said Benrahma score

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Declan Rice scored West Ham's second goal of the campaign.

West Ham won the Europa League group stage with a well-deserved win over Rapid Vienna at London Stadium thanks to Declan Rice's tap-in in the first half and Said Benrahma’s injury-time effort.

David Moyes' men have taken control of Group H following their victory at Dinamo Zagreb two weeks ago. They will be meeting with Genk in back-to-back matches.

Rice also made a hit with a near post flick, and Craig Dawson saw his header rebound off the woodwork.

Jarrod Bowen, the substitute, should have scored in half-time but blazed wide with Kevin Wimmer as the only one to beat.

Pablo Fornals saved a shot in stoppage time moments before Benrahma scored the final kick to secure the bottom corner.

The game was not without its incidents.

The 29th minute opener by West Ham triggered terrible scenes. A number of Rapid Vienna fans leapt over barriers and ran short distances to harass the home contingent. Both sets of fans threw numerous objects in the air.

Rapid was surrounded by police to ensure that the situation didn't escalate. Rapid did receive a late-incremented penalty, but it was not the same magnitude.

Benrahma's efforts did not produce a repeat of the events that occurred following the opening goal.

Rice becomes better and more delicious

Rice's growth over the last few years has been remarkable.

His performance at Euro 2020 positioned him as a leading holding midfielder and, if anything, has gone to the next level.

Rice's goal was not exceptional, a simple tap-in after Michail Antonia had squared to Rice in front of an empty net. However, Rice's desire to be in that position, within the six-yard area suggests an unrevealed desire to score.

Rice actually has two this season, matching his previous campaign best.

The 22-year old dismissed speculation about his future, saying he was fully committed to the Hammers.

It is only a matter time, however, before a player, who was young and released by Chelsea, goes on to bigger things.

Recognized Heroes of 1965

On Wednesday, West Ham supporters gathered in large numbers to view the sculpture that depicts the 1965 European Cup Winners Cup-winning team. It now stands proudly outside the London Stadium.

Half-time saw many of the players introduced to the crowd, including Sir Geoff Hurst, England's 1966 hat trick hero.

He reiterated what he had said to BBC Sport earlier that no English club would ever be able to provide the captain and all of the goalscorers for a World Cup final like the club did 55-years ago.

The debate surrounding that day was, from a German perspective, whether Hurst's second goal crossed a line.

This debate shouldn't recur, given VAR and goal-line technology.

It was Ben Johnson's luck that the technology was available as it gave Tobias Stieler, a German referee, the chance to overrule his incorrect penalty decision.

Before Marco Grull's Rapid replacement fell in the box, the Hammers defender clearly had not touched Marco Grull.

Next up for West Ham is Sunday 3 October, when they play Brentford in a top flight London derby (14:00 BST).

Rice Declan Rice was the player of the match with an average score of 8.53 West Ham West Ham United West Ham United

Rapid Vienna Rapid Vienna Rapid Vienna West Ham United Avg Squad number 41 Player name Rice Average rating 8.53 Squad number 22 Player name Benrahma Average rating 8.19 Squad number 9 Player name Antonio Average rating 8.13 Squad number 8 Player name Fornals Average rating 7.86 Squad number 15 Player name Dawson Average rating 7.63 Squad number 3 Player name Cresswell Average rating 7.61 Squad number 20 Player name Bowen Average rating 7.55 Squad number 23 Player name Diop Average rating 7.55 Squad number 31 Player name Johnson Average rating 7.47 Squad number 28 Player name Soucek Average rating 7.34 Squad number 10 Player name Lanzini Average rating 7.31 Squad number 7 Player name Yarmolenko Average rating 7.27 Squad number 11 Player name Vlasic Average rating 7.22 Squad number 16 Player name Noble Average rating 7.12 Squad number 13 Player name Areola Average rating 7.02 Rapid Vienna Avg Squad number 8 Player name Knasmllner Average rating 4.69 Squad number 31 Player name Ullmann Average rating 4.54 Squad number 9 Player name Fountas Average rating 4.53 Squad number 4 Player name Aiwu Average rating 4.52 Squad number 29 Player name Kara Average rating 4.52 Squad number 32 Player name Kitagawa Average rating 4.49 Squad number 16 Player name Petrovic Average rating 4.44 Squad number 30 Player name Greiml Average rating 4.41 Squad number 14 Player name Grahovac Average rating 4.41 Squad number 23 Player name Auer Average rating 4.39 Squad number 25 Player name Gartler Average rating 4.31 Squad number 27 Player name Grll Average rating 4.30 Squad number 22 Player name Stojkovic Average rating 4.21 Squad number 6 Player name Wimmer Average rating 4.15 Squad number 36 Player name Arase Average rating 4.15 Squad number 5 Player name Ljubicic Average rating 3.86