West Ham crush Lyon in Europa League as Rangers see off Braga

JEFF PACHOUD / AFP

West Ham United powered into their first major European semi-final since 1976 with an emphatic 3-0 win at Olympique Lyonnais on Thursday to secure a 4-1 aggregate victory in the Europa League quarter-final.

The London side, who won the Cup Winners' Cup in 1965, overpowered their French opponents and goals by Craig Dawson, Declan Rice and Jarrod Bowen set up a repeat of their 1976 semi-final against Eintracht Frankfurt, who knocked out Barcelona.

After a 1-1 draw at home, West Ham soaked up early pressure at the Groupama Stadium before hitting Lyon in ruthless fashion to lead 2-0 at halftime.

Bowen added the third goal soon after the interval and there was no way back for Lyon.

A modest 10th in the Ligue 1 standings, Lyon have little left to play for this season and their fans vented their frustration as a security cordon was deployed around their bench in the closing stages of the game.

Elsewhere, Kemar Roofe struck in extra-time as Rangers beat Braga 3-1 to secure a 3-2 aggregate victory and a last-four clash with RB Leipzig.

It's the Scottish side's first appearance in the last four of a European competition since 2008.

Earlier, Leipzig's in-form French forward Christopher Nkunku scored a double to earn the German side a 2-0 win at Atalanta, sealing a 3-1 aggregate quarter-final success.

More from Sports