Report, Score, Goals, Full Penalty as Struik’s ‘perfect’ penalty settles ‘absolutely remarkable’ FA Cup quarter-final

Pascal Struyck’s penalty winner sent Leeds United into the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time since 1987 with victory against a West Ham United side that scored twice in second-half stoppage time in an extra-time tie at the London Stadium.

Ao Tanaka’s 26th-minute strike and Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s penalty 15 minutes from time put Leeds in control before Mateus Fernandes replied in the 93rd minute and Axel Disassi equalized for the Hammers three minutes later.

West Ham were denied two goals in extra-time as Lucas Perry – Leeds’ hero in their penalty shoot-out win over Birmingham in the fourth round – saved penalties from Jarrod Bowen and Pablo.

Debutant West Ham back-up goalkeeper Finn Herrick saved from Joel Pirro at the first attempt on penalties, with Kyle Walker-Peters and Tomas Soucek converting for the home side, while Calvert-Lewin, Brendan Aaronson and Wilfried Gnonto also scored for Leeds.

Daniel Farke’s side will meet Chelsea in the semi-finals at Wembley Stadium on April 25 or 26, while West Ham will spend the rest of their season fully focused on trying to escape the Premier League relegation zone.

West Ham v Leeds: Struike sends Whites to Wembley

Both goalkeepers showed moments of brilliance in the first half as Alphonse Areola headed Leeds forward to Noah Okafor’s curling shot from behind to deny Anton Stach in a one-on-one, with a video assistant referee (VAR) review ruling Kilman had not fouled Stach with a sliding tackle.

Brazil international Perry produced an outstanding save to deny Castellanos from close range and deflect Bowen’s shot, which made it all the sweeter for Leeds when Tanaka started and finished the move which culminated in the midfielder opening a goal from inside the box.

Tanaka has not started a Premier League game since December, the month he scored in the win over Chelsea and scored a last-gasp equalizer in a 3-3 draw with Liverpool as part of a run of results that lifted Leeds out of the relegation zone.

The Japan international featured in his side’s wins against Scotland and England during the international break and Tanaka’s memorable fortnight continued as he burst into the box and produced superb play to create space and fire past defender Axel Disassi and the post.

Tati Castellanos almost equalized by heading Adama Traore’s cross against the post in the 62nd minute, but the sixth-bottom Premier League side doubled their lead through substitute Calvert-Lewin after Kilman was adjudged to have fouled Aaronson.

VAR was again required for Leeds’ penalty, Craig Pawson consulted his pitchside monitor and issued a yellow card for Kilman as part of a streak that ended with Leeds fans eager for the chance to erase all memories of their last semi-final appearance, when they lost after extra time to Coventry City at Hillsborough.

West Ham’s sensational comeback attempt began when Nunes kept his composure to control the ball on his knee and find the net from an unguarded rebound after Bowen collected a corner pass in the box, moved outside the area to take a corner and hit the inside of the far post.

Disassi met Traore’s inciting cross with a high boot – the goal was ruled valid on review – to equalise, giving West Ham the momentum they took into extra-time in which Castellanos was almost immediately disallowed for an offside goal after Perry made the inconceivable decision to attempt a misjudged header instead of latching on to a long ball.

Walker-Peters and Soucek then cleared the line in quick succession and, after Perry saved from Castellanos from close range, Pablo had a goal disallowed for offside after turning over the rebound from another Bowen shot at the far post.

Part of West Ham’s inexperienced bench, 20-year-old Herrick replaced the injured Areola deep into the second half of extra-time, earning a standing ovation from the home fans on his first touch and setting the stage for a fairytale that almost became reality.

« I’ve never had the chance to play at Wembley for a club before so I’m excited »

Dominic Calvert-Lewin reacts to Leeds progressing to the FA Cup semi-finals 🙌

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Analysis: Struik’s ‘perfect’ penalty sends Leeds through

Leeds impressed from a difficult start to the post-promotion season and Farke backed his « special » and « unique » group to take the club back to Wembley, where they lost the Championship play-off final to Southampton under his leadership in 2024.

« It’s the perfect penalty, » former Scotland striker Ally McCoist told TNT Sports of Struyck’s decisive strike, which went off the bar.

« There’s no way any planet guardian is going to save it. It’s probably a little close for comfort when it leaves your leg.

« What a game. What a cup tie. The drama was absolutely remarkable. One of those games you’ll be talking about for a long, long time.

« He had everything. I was half expecting the young keeper to come on and win for West Ham but it didn’t happen. »

Farke paid a price for fielding a strong side, with Joe Rodon forced off through injury after Stach limped off under a challenge from Kilman, reappearing on crutches.

« Just look at what the FA Cup means to these supporters, » former West Ham striker Dean Ashton told TalkSport after Calvert-Lewin scored in regular time on his return from England.

« They’re ecstatic. It was so cool from Calvert-Lewin. He came up with his chest up and smashed it into the corner. »

West Ham team vs Leeds United

Defenders Konstantinos Mavropanos (concussion) and Jean-Claire Todibo (calf) were injured for West Ham, who made five changes from their 2-0 loss at Aston Villa on March 22.

In came Areola, Walker-Peters and Kilman, defender or midfielder Sungutu Magasa and winger Traore.

Wideman Crysencio Summerville missed with a calf problem.

Soucek and Pablo moved to the bench. Mavropanos, Mads Hermansen and Aaron Wan-Bissaka all started against Villa but were not in the squad, while striker Callum Wilson, who came off the bench in that game, also did not feature.

West Ham United starting XI: Alphonse Areola, Kyle Walker-Peters, Maximilian Kilman, Axel Disassi, El Hadji Malik Diouf, Freddie Potts, Sunguttu Magasa, Matheus Fernandez, Jarrod Bowen, Adama Traore, Valentin Castellanos

West Ham Subs: Finlay Herrick, Pablo, Keber Lamadrid, Tomas Suchek, Ollie Scarles, Mohamadou Kante, Airidas Golambekis, Ezra Meyers, Joshua Ajala

Leeds team vs West Ham United

Leeds made three changes following their 0-0 draw at home to Brentford on March 21, bringing in goalkeeper Perry along with Tanaka and Okafor.

Calvert-Lewin, Aaronson and Carl Darlow moved to the bench. Forwards Calvert-Lewin and Okafor were doubtful with hamstring problems.

Left-back Gabriel Gudmundsson was thought to be in contention to return from suspension but was ruled out due to a knock sustained against Sweden.

Leeds United starting XI: Lucas Perry, Jaden Bogle, James Justin, Pascal Streak, Joe Rodon, Xhaka Bijoll, Ethan Ampadu, Anton Stach, Ao Tanaka, Noah Okafor, Lucas Nmecha

Leeds Substitutes: Carl Darlow, Sam Byram, Sebastian Bornau, Sean Longstaff, Ilya Gruev, Brendan Aaronson, Wilfred Gnonto, Joel Pirro, Dominic Calvert-Lewin