EFL: Leeds United End 39-Year Wait with FA Cup Semi-Final Win

Leeds beat West Ham on pens

Leeds United ended their 39-year wait for an FA Cup semi-final appearance by beating West Ham United on penalties after a thrilling 2-2 draw at the London Stadium.

Leeds United edge West Ham on penalties to seal FA Cup semi-final spot after 2-2 draw...

Leeds United has ended their 39-year wait for an FA Cup semi-final appearance, beating West Ham United on penalties at the London Stadium. The Whites won a thrilling match 4-2 on penalties after the game ended 2-2 after extra time.

The match was a tense affair, with both teams giving it their all for a spot at Wembley. Leeds' penalty shootout record was put to the test, but they showed composure to seal their place in the semi-finals.

The semi-final draw will take place soon, with Leeds facing either Southampton or Arsenal, Chelsea, or Manchester City. The semi-finals will be played on April 25 and 26 at Wembley Stadium.

Noah Okafor's early threat set the tone for West Ham's attack, forcing Alphonse Areola to make a crucial save. This allowed West Ham to launch a counter-attack, putting Lucas Perri under pressure, who responded with an impressive save to deny Valentín Castellanos.

Perri was having a busy game in the Leeds goal, and it didn't let up as Jarrod Bowen's powerful drive across goal had him diving to make another impressive save. The match is intense, with both teams giving it their all.

What a goal! Ao Tanaka's deflected shot was unlucky for the home side, finding its way into the net off Axel Disasi's head. Leeds took the lead in style, and it looked like it could be their day. 

Leeds should've gone 2-0 up when Anton Stach had a great chance, but Alphonse Areola made a crucial save. The visitors were pushing for a second, and it was starting to feel like it was their day.

West Ham made changes at half time, bringing on more attacking options, but it was their players who had the best chance early in the second half. Adama Traoré's cross caused chaos, and Valentín Castellanos' header hit the post - a big miss for the Hammers.

Clive Clarke's decision to book Max Kilman for a clumsy challenge inside the area proved costly, as Brenden Aaronson was fouled and Dominic Calvert-Lewin slotted home the penalty. Leeds were back on level terms, and the tension was palpable.

As time ticked away, Wilfried Gnonto's clever flick from Jayden Bogle's cross-shot flashed inches wide, and it was a heartbreaking miss for Leeds. The Italian's miss would prove costly, as the game headed to extra time.

Matheus Fernandes' goal seemed like a consolation, but it was far from it. Leeds United's 9,000-strong travelling contingent thought they were heading to their first FA Cup semi-final in a generation. However, the game took a dramatic turn in the sixth minute of stoppage time when Adama Traoré's delivery was turned home by Axel Disasi's head-high boot, sending the game into extra time after surviving a VAR check.

West Ham United eventually won the game on penalties, with Leeds missing crucial spot kicks. The Whites' penalty shootout record wasn't great, having been involved in 16 shootouts, with only seven wins. Joel Piroe, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and Brenden Aaronson converted their kicks in the shootout against Birmingham City, but it wasn't enough.

Extra time got off to a wild start! Valentín Castellanos thought he'd put West Ham ahead, but the goal was ruled out for offside. The game was intense, with chances at both ends - Tomas Soucek blocked James Justin's goalbound strike on the line for Leeds.

Into the semi-finals for the first time in 39 years! 🤯

Congratulations, @LUFC! pic.twitter.com/qT2T7maXUO

— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) April 5, 2026

West Ham kept pushing, and they thought they'd scored again just before half-time in extra time. Pablo fired home after Jarrod Bowen hit the post, but it was offside again, denying the Hammers a crucial goal. The tension is electric.

The second half of extra time was more low-key, but drama awaited in the penalty shootout. Alphonse Areola's injury led to Finley Herrick making his first-team debut, facing Leeds' penalties cold.

Herrick pulled off a crucial save on Joël Piroe's spot-kick, but West Ham's Jarrod Bowen and Pablo missed their penalties. Pascal Struijk stepped up for Leeds and sealed the win, sending them to Wembley for the first time since 1987 (not 1957), beating West Ham 4-3 on penalties after a 2-2 draw.