West Ham 2-0 Freiburg: Mohammed Kudus and Edson Alvarez goals send Hammers into last 16

West Ham sealed their place in the Europa League last 16 – avoiding a play-off against a side dropping down from the Champions League – with a confident win over Freiburg.

A solid start was further rewarded when Mexico midfielder Alvarez doubled the lead three minutes before half-time with a smart finish after a driving run.

It was his first West Ham goal since his summer move from Ajax.

From that point on the Premier League side remained in total command and maintained their intensity in an assured performance.

Freiburg, who are eighth in the German Bundesliga, offered little threat in response.

The visitors slightly improved in the final half hour, with Hammers keeper Lukasz Fabianski saving a curling shot from Ritsu Doan, but the defeat meant they finished second in the group behind the Hammers.

Why it was so important to avoid a play-off

While West Ham and Freiburg were both already assured of playing European football in the New Year, the prospect of bypassing a play-off meant there was still a lot on the line at the London Stadium.

Finishing top of the group meant the Europa League could be parked until early March and reduced the impact of two further games added to an already-packed fixture list.

The eight group winners go straight into the last-16 draw, which will be made on Monday.

But the eight runners-up must negotiate a two-legged tie against one of the sides who finished third in their Champions League group.

Seven-time European champions AC Milan are a dangerous draw lurking in the pot, while Galatasaray, Benfica and Shakhtar Donetsk – all champions of their respective national leagues and well-versed in continental competition – would also be teams to avoid.

“We are top of the group and don’t have to play two more games so this was very important for us,” midfielder Alvarez told TNT Sports.

More to follow.