London Stadium, April 5, 2026.West Ham United pulled off an incredible rally from 2-0 down to end in a 2-2 draw against Leeds United. However, Leeds won 4-2 in the penalty shootout. As a result, they reached the FA Cup semis for the first time since 1987.
Many West Ham fans headed out after Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s 75th-minute penalty made it 2-0 for Leeds. Those who stayed saw real cup drama. West Ham netted twice in stoppage time to force extra time. Then Leeds keeper Lucas Perri shone in the shootout.
Match Recap and Top Moments – Watch the Highlights
The London Stadium clash brought non-stop action, big calls, and last-gasp thrills. It captured that classic cup feel.
First Half:Leeds grabbed the lead around the halfway mark. Ao Tanaka scored in the 26th minute. His shot deflected after solid play from Noah Okafor and James Justin on the right. West Ham held the ball well but created few chances. Jarrod Bowen and Adama Traoré threatened from the wings. Still, they lacked finish.
Second Half:Leeds doubled up when Calvert-Lewin nailed a penalty after a box foul. West Ham faced the end. Officials added 11 minutes. So the hosts pushed hard.
Bowen struck the post in the 93rd minute. Mateus Fernandes reacted fast on the rebound for 2-1. Three minutes later, Traoré whipped in a perfect cross. Axel Disasi volleyed home to tie it at 2-2. The crowd went wild over this season’s wildest turnaround.
Extra time brought more chaos. West Ham saw two goals chalked off for offside: one by Taty Castellanos and another by Pablo after Bowen’s woodwork hit. No winner emerged. So penalties decided it.
Shootout Tension
West Ham struggled again in spots. Lucas Perri stopped shots from Jarrod Bowen and Pablo. Finlay Herrick, on debut, saved one for West Ham. Pascal Struijk buried the clincher. Leeds advanced 4-2. This breaks their 39-year semi-final drought.
Key Highlights
- Ao Tanaka (26′): Leeds scores first on a team move and lucky deflection.
- Dominic Calvert-Lewin (75′ pen): Cool spot-kick gives Leeds a 2-0 edge.
- Mateus Fernandes (90+3′): Snaps back quick after Bowen’s post hit.
- Axel Disasi (90+6′): Brilliant volley off Traoré’s cross evens it up.
- Extra Time: West Ham loses two goals to offside; hits woodwork often.
- Penalties: Perri’s two stops seal Leeds’ 4-2 victory.
West Ham took 22 shots to Leeds’ 21. Hosts had 55% possession. They turned pressure into goals only at the end.
West Ham Ratings and Stats
West Ham fought back with grit. But a sluggish start and penalty flops cost them. Adama Traoré and Axel Disasi impressed most.
West Ham Key Stats:
| Player | Position | Rating | Key Contribution | Minutes Played |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Alphonse Areola
|
GK | 6.5 | Several saves, beaten twice | 120 |
|
Kyle Walker-Peters
|
RB | 7.5 | Strong defense, joined attacks | 120 |
|
Axel Disasi
|
CB | 8.4 | Epic equalizer goal | 120 |
|
Max Kilman
|
CB | 7.1 | Reliable in backline | 120 |
|
Malick Diouf
|
LB | 7.6 | Good link with Traoré | 120 |
|
Soungoutou Magassa
|
MF | 6.0 | Came off early | 46 |
|
Freddie Potts
|
MF | 6.5 | Hustled in midfield | 120 |
|
Adama Traoré
|
RW | 8.7 | Threatening runs, key assist | 120 |
|
Mateus Fernandes
|
AM | 8.4 | Vital goal scorer | 120 |
|
Jarrod Bowen
|
LW | 7.0 | Two post hits, flubbed pen | 120 |
|
Valentín Castellanos
|
ST | 5.5 | Quiet up top | 120 |
Team Stats: 55% possession, 22 shots (6 on target), 4 corners, 2 yellows.
Subs like Oliver Scarles and Mohamadou Kante brought energy. Yet they couldn’t score in extra time.
Leeds Ratings and Stats
Leeds held firm and struck when it counted. Lucas Perri and Pascal Struijk stepped up big in penalties.
Leeds Key Stats:
| Player | Position | Rating | Key Contribution | Minutes Played |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Lucas Perri
|
GK | 8.5 | Two big penalty stops | 120 |
|
Joe Rodon
|
CB | 7.4 | Dominated in air | 120 |
|
Jaka Bijol
|
CB | 7.1 | Kept defense in order | 120 |
|
Pascal Struijk
|
CB | 7.8 | Netted winner in shootout | 120 |
|
Jayden Bogle
|
RB | 6.8 | Left late | ~90 |
|
Ethan Ampadu
|
MF | 7.8 | Bossed midfield | 120 |
|
Ao Tanaka
|
MF | 8.3 | Smart opener | 120 |
|
James Justin
|
LB | 7.5 | Helped set up first goal | 120 |
|
Anton Stach
|
AM | 7.0 | Solid creator | 120 |
|
Noah Okafor
|
FW | 7.2 | Set up Tanaka | 120 |
|
Dominic Calvert-Lewin
|
ST | 7.9 | Penalty goal, good hold-up | 120 |
Team Stats: 45% possession, 21 shots (8 on target), 5 corners, 3 yellows. Joel Piroe and bench players helped out.
Tactics and Boss Quotes
Nuno Espírito Santo must regret West Ham’s slow open and missed chances, even after the epic pushback. Daniel Farke loved his team’s toughness and Perri’s saves. He called it a character win for their first semi in decades.
Styles clashed here. West Ham attacked wide with pace. Leeds countered smart and threatened from dead balls.
Fans will replay this quarter-final forever. Momentum flipped fast, and stoppage-time chaos decided it. West Ham shifts back to league action. Leeds eyes Wembley now.
