Leeds United booked their place in the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time in nearly four decades after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over West Ham in a thrilling quarter-final at the London Stadium.
The match had everything - late drama, disallowed goals, and a tense shootout - with Leeds eventually prevailing 4-2 on penalties to set up a Wembley clash with Chelsea.
West Ham were forced to rely on 20-year-old debutant goalkeeper Finlay Herrick in the shootout after Alphonse Areola was injured late in extra time.
Herrick, fresh from a loan spell in non-league football earlier this season, made an immediate impact by saving Joel Piroe’s penalty.
However, the Hammers failed to capitalise.
Jarrod Bowen missed his spot-kick, Pablo saw his effort denied by Lucas Perri, and Pascal Struijk stepped up to convert the decisive penalty for Leeds.
Leeds looked to have sealed victory in normal time, holding a comfortable 2-0 lead heading into stoppage time thanks to a deflected Ao Tanaka strike and a Dominic Calvert-Lewin penalty.
But in a remarkable twist, West Ham struck twice deep into added time.
Mateus Fernandes reacted quickest after Bowen hit the post, before Axel Disasi equalised by finishing Adama Traore’s cross, sending the tie into extra time.
The drama continued as West Ham had two goals ruled out for offside in extra time, with Taty Castellanos and Pablo both denied after finding the net.
For West Ham, who sit in the Premier League relegation zone, the defeat was a bitter blow.
The FA Cup had offered a chance to salvage a difficult season, but despite their stunning comeback, they fell short when it mattered most.
A poor first-half display left them chasing the game, and although they showed resilience to force extra time, missed chances and penalty errors proved costly.
Leeds, backed by a passionate travelling support, now look ahead to Wembley with renewed hope.
It will be their first FA Cup semi-final appearance since 1987 and another opportunity to end a long wait for success at the national stadium.
For much of the match, Daniel Farke’s side looked the stronger team, creating early chances and taking control through Tanaka’s opener and Calvert-Lewin’s spot-kick.
Although West Ham’s late resurgence shifted momentum, Leeds held firm through a frantic extra-time period before keeping their nerve in the shootout.
Now, with Chelsea standing between them and a place in the final, Leeds are one step closer to ending decades of near misses at Wembley.
