Leeds United booked their place in the FA Cup semi-finals after edging West Ham United 4-2 on penalties following a dramatic 2-2 draw after extra time at the London Stadium in a game that swung wildly from control to chaos. Leeds started brightly and looked the more organized side early on, taking the lead in the 26th minute through Ao Tanaka, who finished calmly after being picked out by Noah Okafor to cap off a well-worked attacking move. The visitors maintained their structure and discipline, frustrating West Ham for large parts of the first half, with the hosts enjoying more of the ball but struggling to create clear-cut chances.
The second half followed a similar pattern, with Leeds remaining compact and dangerous on transition, and their approach paid off again in the 75th minute when Dominic Calvert-Lewin converted from the penalty spot to double their advantage. At 2-0, the tie looked all but settled, with Leeds in full control and West Ham running out of ideas in the final third.
However, the game took a dramatic turn deep into stoppage time. In the 93rd minute, Mateus Fernandes pulled one back for West Ham, reacting quickest in the box to finish from close range and spark belief among the home crowd. Just moments later, in the 96th minute, Axel Disasi completed an astonishing comeback, rising to score the equalizer and send the stadium into chaos. From a position of comfort, Leeds suddenly found themselves heading into extra time with all momentum against them.
Extra time was tense and cagey, with both sides feeling the physical and emotional toll of the late drama. West Ham looked the more energized side after their comeback, but Leeds managed to steady themselves, and clear chances became limited as fatigue set in. With neither side able to find a winner, the tie was decided by a penalty shootout.
In the shootout, Leeds showed greater composure. Their takers converted with confidence, while West Ham faltered under pressure, and it was the visitors who emerged 4-2 winners on penalties to seal progression. The result marked a huge moment for Leeds, who held their nerve after conceding two late goals that could have completely broken them.
For West Ham, it was a cruel ending. They showed incredible spirit to come back from 2-0 down in stoppage time, but ultimately could not carry that momentum into the shootout. What looked like a defeat turned into hope, and then heartbreak within the space of minutes — a reminder of how unforgiving knockout football can be.
