AAP Soccer

Leeds reach FA Cup semi-final for first time since 1987

By AAP Newswire

Apr 6, 2026

Leeds threw away a two-goal lead in second-half injury time and conceded two disallowed goals in extra time before going on to beat West Ham in a penalty shootout and reach the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time since 1987.

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Mateus Fernandes and Axel Disasi struck in the 93rd and 96th minutes as West Ham levelled the score at 2-2 at London Stadium and forced extra time.

No more goals were scored, before Leeds won the penalty shootout 4-2.

In the shootout, West Ham debutant Finlay Herrick saved a penalty from Joel Piroe but Leeds eventually prevailed with Pascal Struijk scoring the winning penalty.

West Ham had been the most attacking team in extra time with two goals ruled out for offside. The 20-year-old Herrick came on as a replacement for Alphonse Areola, who left the field during extra time to receive treatment.

Ao Tanaka and Dominic Calvert-Lewin had previously built a 2-0 lead for Leeds.

Leeds will now play Chelsea in the semi-finals in a repeat of the 1970 FA Cup final, which Chelsea won after a replay.

Manchester City and second-tier Southampton meet in the other semi-final match with games to be played April 25-26 at Wembley.