TWO oblivious Gent players high-fived each other for their defensive efforts just seconds before Danny Ings scored for West Ham.
The Belgian side almost got to half-time with their clean sheet still intact against the Hammers in this Europa Conference League first-leg quarter-final tie.
ReutersDanny Ings slipped in behind the distracted Gent defence to open the scoring[/caption]
BTSportKamil Piatkowski (left) and Alessio Castro-Montes share a high-five just before things started to go wrong[/caption]
But a bizarre moment between centre-back Kamil Piatkowski and wing-back Alessio Castro-Montes undone their hard work.
West Ham pounced at the end of the first-half as a quick throw from Vladimir Coufal found Jarrod Bowen deep inside the box.
The 26-year-old swivelled and sent a low ball across the six-yard box which Ings only had to tap home.
It was the striker’s first ever goal in Europe but replays suggested it was preventable from a Gent perspective.
Piatkowski and Castro-Montes were too busy high-fiving each other as Coufal took the quick throw, leaving the door open for Bowen.
The distracted pair were celebrating blocking yet another West Ham attack but were then caught completely unawares as the London side went for goal again.
Their blushes were spared in the second-half as Hugo Cuypers equalised to leave the game level-pegging before the second leg at the London Stadium next week.
Both sides could have scored a winner during a frantic final 20 minutes with Gent forward Gift Orban hitting the crossbar with a sensational overhead kick.
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The 20-year-old Nigerian has been compared to Erling Haaland due to his recent scoring exploits.
Despite neither side finding a second goal, there would be late drama as Piatkowski was sent off for a tackle on Lucas Paqueta as the midfielder charged through on goal.
But a long-winded VAR check saw the decision reversed.
VAR also got involved earlier in the game to chalk off Nayef Aguerd’s strike, leaving fans furious.