Leeds reached the FA Cup semi-finals for the primary time in 39 years as they survived a dramatic penalty shoot-out after squandering a two-goal lead in an exhilarating conflict with West Ham on Sunday.
Daniel Farke’s aspect had been moments away from victory on the London Stadium after Ao Tanaka’s first-half objective and Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s second-half penalty put them in management.
However West Ham staged a stoppage-time rally as Mateus Fernandes lowered the deficit earlier than Axel Disasi’s equaliser pressured additional time.
With the rating nonetheless stage at 2-2 after the extra interval, Leeds keeper Lucas Perri emerged as their shoot-out hero.
Joel Piroe missed Leeds’ first penalty however Calvert-Lewin, Brenden Aaronson, Wilfried Gnonto and Pascal Struijk all transformed their kicks.
Perri saved Jarrod Bowen’s opening effort for West Ham and in addition denied Pablo as Leeds gained 4-2 on penalties.
It was their second shoot-out victory within the competitors this season following their fourth-round success at Birmingham.
Leeds will face Chelsea within the semi-finals at Wembley later in April.
“We at all times do it the powerful means, by no means the straightforward means. We may have made our lives simpler,” Farke mentioned.
“We had a late sucker punch when the entire stadium was buzzing. To maintain the nerves and win the penalty shoot-out exhibits nice mentality and character.
“A chapter of Leeds historical past. It is going to be a giant evening for us at Wembley. It is a terrific step for this membership and a terrific reward for everybody.”
The sport that had EVERYTHING.
An exciting encounter between @WestHam and @LUFC went the space, because the away aspect booked their Wembley spot 🤍#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/WfE4x8wY30
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) April 5, 2026
The Yorkshire membership are within the semi-finals for the primary time since 1987, after they misplaced to eventual winners Coventry at Hillsborough.
Leeds have misplaced on their previous three journeys to Wembley, within the 2024 Championship play-off last, the 2008 League One play-off last and the 1996 League Cup last.
FA Cup winners for the one time in 1972, Leeds’ final victory at Wembley was a 4-3 success towards Liverpool within the 1992 Charity Protect.
Their win over West Ham was a welcome elevate within the midst of a Premier League relegation battle for each golf equipment.
Third-bottom West Ham are one level behind fourth-bottom Tottenham with seven video games left.
Leeds, 4 factors above the Hammers, face a return journey to West Ham for a doubtlessly decisive conflict on the final day of the season.
Penalty drama
West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo made 5 modifications as he prioritised Friday’s very important showdown with bottom-of-the-table Wolves.
Leeds grabbed the opener within the twenty sixth minute because of an attention grabbing effort from Japan midfielder Tanaka, who cleverly twisted to search out house contained in the penalty space for a shot that deflected off Disasi and bounced in off the crossbar.
Leeds struck once more within the seventy fifth minute after Max Kilman chopped down Aaronson within the space, with referee Craig Pawson altering his resolution to a penalty after consulting the pitch-side monitor.
Calvert-Lewin confidently stroked his spot-kick previous Alphonse Areola earlier than sprinting to have a good time with 9,000 raucous Leeds supporters crammed behind the objective.
Leeds misplaced focus within the closing phases, permitting West Ham to stage their exceptional comeback.
Fernandes tapped within the rebound after Bowen hit the put up within the third minute of stoppage time.
Surprised by the choice to play 11 minutes of further time, Leeds had been unable to carry their nerve.
Three minutes after Fernandes’ objective, Adama Traore whipped an inswinging cross into the six-yard field and former Chelsea defender Disasi volleyed residence together with his outstretched foot.
1000’s of West Ham followers had already left earlier than Disasi’s equaliser and tons of flooded again in after the objective, though some discovered the gates shut, leaving them caught outdoors for the remainder of the match.
With Areola pressured off injured late in additional time, West Ham needed to give a debut to order keeper Finlay Herrick.
The 20-year-old, who was on mortgage at non-league aspect Boreham Wooden earlier this season, saved Piroe’s penalty.
However there was no fairytale ending for Herrick as Leeds celebrated a semi-final berth nearly 4 a long time within the making.
