Leeds United booked their first FA Cup semi-final appearance in 39 years, but only after surviving a dramatic collapse and edging West Ham United in a penalty shootout.
With Leeds leading 2-0 deep into stoppage time, many West Ham supporters had already headed for the exits. Those who stayed, however, witnessed an unforgettable finish.
Goals from Ao Tanaka and Dominic Calvert-Lewin appeared to have secured victory for Leeds, only for West Ham to stage a stunning late comeback through Mateus Fernandes and Axel Disasi to make it 2-2 and force extra time.
There was even more drama when West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola suffered an injury late in extra time, forcing 20-year-old fourth-choice keeper Finlay Herrick into action for his senior debut during the shootout.
Herrick made an immediate impact by saving Joël Piroe’s opening penalty, but Leeds goalkeeper Lucas Perri emerged as the hero by denying Jarrod Bowen and Pablo Felipe to seal a 4-2 shootout victory.
Leeds also had to overcome frustration after being informed the penalties could not be taken in front of their travelling fans because of safety concerns.
The setback did little to derail them as they secured a Wembley showdown with Chelsea and reached the semi-finals for the first time since 1987.
Despite both sides being heavily involved in the Premier League relegation battle, the tie delivered a thrilling spectacle from the start.
Leeds took the lead in the 26th minute when Noah Okafor and James Justin combined to tee up Tanaka.
The Japanese midfielder weaved his way through the area, beat Soungoutou Magassa and fired a shot that deflected off Disasi before looping over Areola.
The visitors nearly doubled their advantage moments later after Okafor slipped Anton Stach through on goal, but Areola produced a save. Stach was then brought down late by Max Kilman after getting his shot away, yet VAR decided against awarding a penalty despite the Leeds midfielder being forced off injured.
West Ham improved after the break and came close when Taty Castellanos headed Adama Traoré’s cross against the post.
However, Kilman was involved in more trouble when he clumsily brought down Brenden Aaronson inside the area. After being sent to the monitor, referee Craig Pawson pointed to the spot and booked the defender, with Calvert-Lewin converting calmly to make it 2-0.
West Ham looked beaten, but Fernandes sparked hope in stoppage time when he tucked away the rebound after Bowen’s shot hit the post.
Disasi then completed the comeback moments later, poking home from Traoré’s cross despite Leeds appeals that his high boot had caught Pascal Struijk.
The hosts almost completed the turnaround at the start of extra time when Castellanos capitalised on a mistake from Perri, but VAR ruled the effort out for offside.
Bowen also rattled the crossbar again before Pablo Felipe turned in the rebound from an offside position.
With Areola injured and Herrick introduced, West Ham seemed to have the momentum.
Yet Perri had the final say, producing two crucial saves in the shootout to send Leeds through and keep their dream run alive.
