Leeds United are daring to dream of FA Cup glory once again after sealing a dramatic place in the semi-finals for the first time in nearly four decades.
Daniel Farke’s side endured a rollercoaster quarter-final clash against West Ham United, eventually triumphing 4-2 on penalties after a thrilling 2-2 draw at the London Stadium.
Leeds looked to be cruising with a 2-0 lead, thanks to goals from Ao Tanaka and Dominic Calvert-Lewin. However, late strikes from the hosts forced extra time, setting up a tense finale.
In the shootout, goalkeeper Lucas Perri emerged as the hero, making crucial saves to send Leeds through, while captain Pascal Struijk converted the decisive penalty.
Manager Daniel Farke praised his team’s resilience, describing the match as “crazy” and full of setbacks, but hailed their determination to fight through adversity.
The victory sets up a blockbuster semi-final clash at Wembley against Chelsea FC, a team Leeds have already faced twice this season with encouraging results.
Despite being labelled underdogs, Farke insists his side are “greedy to go to the next step,” as they chase a first FA Cup triumph since 1972.
The match itself showcased the true “magic of the cup,” with disallowed goals, injuries, and late drama adding to an unforgettable encounter. Even West Ham’s young debutant goalkeeper Finlay Herrick made headlines with a penalty save, though it was not enough to stop Leeds’ progression.
For Calvert-Lewin, the occasion marks a career milestone, as he looks forward to his first club appearance at Wembley, fresh off a recent return to international action.
While Leeds continue to battle for Premier League survival, this cup run has injected belief and excitement into the squad and supporters alike.
As Farke put it, reaching the semi-final may have seemed unrealistic—but now, Leeds are determined to push even further and turn their dream into reality.
