Taty Castellanos' brace powers West Ham into EFL Cup second round
West Ham United secured a 3-1 victory over Portsmouth in the EFL Cup, thanks to a double from Argentine forward Taty Castellanos. The win guarantees the Hammers a place in the competition's second round and highlights Castellanos' impact since joining the club.
An open‑foot strike levelled the tie before a powerful header sealed the final score. The combination of the first‑half equaliser and the decisive header underlined West Ham's attacking intent on home soil.
Valentín Castellanos was described as the figure of the night, commanding West Ham's qualification to the next round of the Copa de la Liga in England. His performance was singled out as a key factor in the team's success.
The match took place on a Saturday packed with fixtures in the historic British competition, and the Hammers celebrated the Argentine's display amid a lively atmosphere. The win came after West Ham's recent relegation from the Premier League.
The 27‑year‑old Mendoza native started the game and has already reached eight goals for the club since arriving in London in January 2026. His contribution this evening added two more to that tally.
Supporters applauded his effort and called for his continued presence as West Ham prepares for the Championship. Fans voiced optimism about his role in the upcoming season.
Portsmouth's Adrian Segecic scored in the 33rd minute, accounting for one of the visitors' goals. Jarrod Bowen added the second for West Ham, with the side guided by manager Nuno Espírito Santo.
West Ham enjoyed fourteen consecutive seasons in the Premier League before descending in May. The club will debut in the Championship as visitors to Burnley on Sunday 16 August and will host Charlton at the London Stadium on Saturday 22.
In a separate development, Dutch winger Crysencio Summerville, 24, chose to join Al Hilal despite a promising World Cup 2026 showing for the Netherlands. Al Hilal paid 80 million euros for the player, making it one of the Saudi Pro League's most expensive signings.
Summerville had previously moved to West Ham from Leeds United for 30 million euros in 2024. Al Hilal's squad now features stars such as Karim Benzema, Darwin Núñez, and Ruben Neves, under the direction of Simone Inzaghi.