In a rollercoaster FA Cup quarter-final clash that will be remembered for decades, Leeds United booked their place at Wembley Stadium with a 4-2 penalty shootout victory over West Ham United on Sunday, ending a 39-year drought for a semi-final appearance in the historic competition.
Daniel Farke’s side looked set for a straightforward victory after taking a commanding 2-0 lead at the London Stadium. Japan international Ao Tanaka broke the deadlock in the 26th minute, twisting cleverly to create space inside the 18-yard box before his deflected effort bounced off the crossbar and into the net. Leeds doubled their advantage in the 75th minute, when referee Craig Pawson overturned his initial decision after a VAR review, awarding a penalty following Max Kilman’s foul on Brenden Aaronson. Dominic Calvert-Lewin converted the spot-kick with cool composure, sending West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola the wrong way before celebrating with the 9,000 travelling Leeds fans packed behind the goal.
But West Ham, managed by Nuno Espirito Santo who had rotated his squad to prioritise an upcoming Premier League relegation clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers, pulled off a stunning late stoppage-time rally to force extra time. In the third minute of 11 minutes of added time, Mateus Fernandes tapped home a rebound after Jarrod Bowen hit the post. Just three minutes later, Axel Disasi volleyed home Adama Traore’s inswinging cross to level the score at 2-2, stunning Leeds and sending the remaining home fans into delirium.
The dramatic equaliser caught many off guard: thousands of West Ham supporters had already exited the stadium, and hundreds rushed back to the gates only to find them locked, leaving them stranded outside for the remainder of the match.
After 30 minutes of extra time failed to separate the two sides, the tie went to penalties. West Ham were forced to hand a senior debut to 20-year-old reserve goalkeeper Finlay Herrick, after Areola was forced off with an injury. Herrick, who spent the first half of the season on loan at non-league side Boreham Wood, got off to a dream start by saving Leeds’ first penalty from Joel Piroe.
However, the fairytale debut for the young goalkeeper did not materialise. Leeds converted their next four penalties through Calvert-Lewin, Aaronson, Wilfried Gnonto and Pascal Struijk, while Leeds goalkeeper Lucas Perri produced two key saves: he stopped West Ham’s opening kick from Bowen and also denied Pablo Fornals. That was enough to secure a 4-2 shootout win and book Leeds’ first FA Cup semi-final spot since 1987.
Speaking after the match, Farke praised his side’s mental strength to secure the historic result. “We always do it the tough way, never the easy way. We could have made our lives easier,” he said. “We had a late sucker punch when the whole stadium was buzzing. To keep the nerves and win the penalty shoot-out shows great mentality and character. A chapter of Leeds history. It will be a big night for us at Wembley. It’s a great step for this club and a great reward for everyone.”
Leeds’ last appearance in the FA Cup semi-finals came in 1987, when they were beaten by eventual winners Coventry City at Hillsborough. The Yorkshire side have also struggled on their past three trips to Wembley, losing play-off and League Cup finals in 1996, 2008 and 2024. Their only FA Cup title came in 1972, and their last win at the national stadium was a 4-3 Charity Shield victory over Liverpool in 1992.
The result offers a much-needed boost for both sides, who are currently locked in a tight Premier League relegation battle. West Ham sit third from bottom, one point adrift of 17th-place Tottenham Hotspur with just seven matches remaining in the league season. Leeds sit four points above West Ham, and the two sides will meet again at the London Stadium on the final day of the campaign in what could prove to be a decisive clash for both clubs’ top-flight survival hopes.
Leeds will now face Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley in late April, with the club just 90 minutes away from a first FA Cup final appearance in more than half a century.