Leeds United have secured their first FA Cup semi-final appearance since 1987 after a nail-biting penalty shootout victory over West Ham United. The dramatic quarter-final clash ended 2-2 after extra time, with Pascal Struijk converting the decisive spot-kick to send the West Yorkshire side through 4-2 on penalties.
The match saw both teams locked in a tense battle throughout regulation and extra time, with neither side able to break the deadlock after 120 minutes of football. The penalty shootout proved to be the ultimate test of nerve, with Struijk stepping up to seal Leeds' historic progression.
This victory marks a significant milestone for Leeds United, who haven't reached the FA Cup semi-finals in nearly four decades. The win keeps alive their hopes of lifting the famous trophy for the first time since 1972, when they last won the competition.
West Ham manager Nuno Espírito Santo described the loss as "tough" for his side, acknowledging that his team "must react" after the disappointing exit from the competition. Meanwhile, Leeds fans celebrated wildly as their team booked a place in the final four, where they'll face either Manchester City, Chelsea, or Liverpool in the next round.
The FA Cup semi-finals are scheduled for April at Wembley Stadium, with Leeds now just one match away from a potential return to the iconic venue for the final in May.