Leeds United Reach the FA Cup Final: 2-2 With West Ham After Extra Time, Won 4-2 on Penalties
Leeds United are heading to the FA Cup final after a pulsating semi-final at Wembley. The match finished 2-2 after extra time and Leeds edged West Ham 4-2 in the penalty shootout to book their place in the showpiece occasion.
A tight and physical contest
The match lived up to its billing as a cup semi-final should. Both sides went at each other from the first whistle and the tempo was high throughout. West Ham were dangerous going forward and Leeds were well-organised defensively, but the game had plenty of moments of quality from both teams as they traded blows across 90 minutes.
Goals either side of half time
The scoring opened and West Ham and Leeds each found the net in a first half that had the Wembley crowd on their feet. The second half brought more of the same, with Leeds clawing back an equaliser to take the tie into extra time at 2-2. The drama and the quality on show made for a memorable afternoon, though neither side could find a winner before the 90 minutes were up.
Extra time fails to produce a winner
The additional 30 minutes were attritional. Both managers made their substitutions and tried to find a way through but the defences held firm. It became clear as the second period of extra time wound down that a penalty shootout would be required to separate two evenly matched sides. The 120 minutes ended with the scoreline unchanged at 2-2.
Leeds hold their nerve from the spot
Leeds were the better team in the shootout. They converted four of their five kicks while West Ham could only manage two. The final score in the shootout was 4-2 to Leeds, sending Daniel Farke's side into raptures at the final whistle.
It is a huge achievement for Leeds to reach the FA Cup final and they will be looking to go one step further and lift the trophy at Wembley later in the season. For West Ham, the defeat will sting but they gave everything in a fine semi-final contest.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.