
Leeds’ goalkeeper Lucas Perri saves a penalty from West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen in a penalty shoot-out during an FA Cup quarter final on April 5, 2026.
Photo: CARLOS JASSO
Leeds United keeper Lucas Perri was their shootout hero as they edged hosts West Ham United 4-2 on penalties to reach the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time since 1987 after surrendering a commanding 2-0 lead in a dramatic finale.
West Ham scored twice within four minutes in second-half stoppage time to wipe out Leeds’ comfortable advantage before the contest finished 2-2 after extra time and went to penalties.
West Ham’s 20-year-old debutant Finlay Herrick, who came off the bench in the final moments to replace the injured Alphonse Areola, initially gave his side hope by saving the opening spot-kick from Joel Piroe.
But the hosts were unable to capitalise as Perri denied Jarrod Bowen and Pablo, before Pascal Struijk scored the winning penalty to send Leeds into the last four where they will play Chelsea, to keep alive their hopes of winning the FA Cup for the first time since 1972.
Manchester City will face Southampton in the other semi-final.
– Reuters