Leeds bereikt na drama de halve finale, Struijk schiet club naar Wembley

2026-04-05 sport

Londen, zondag, 5 april 2026.
Leeds United staat voor het eerst in 39 jaar weer in de halve finale van de FA Cup. In een dramatische penaltyreeks na een 2-2 gelijkspel trokken ze aan het langste eind tegen West Ham. Pascal Struijk benutte de beslissende strafschop, nadat hij de lat raakte en de bal alsnog binnenspoot. De overwinning markeert een persoonlijk hoogtepunt voor de Nederlandse verdediger uit Amsterdam. Leeds wacht nu op Chelsea in de halve finale op Wembley. De laatste keer dat Leeds zo ver kwam, was in 1987. Dit seizoen blijft het voetbalverhaal van de club geschreven worden in meeslepende scènes.

dramatic finish at london stadium

Leeds United secured a 4-2 victory in a penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw with West Ham United in the FA Cup quarter-final [1]. The match, played at the London Stadium on April 5, 2026, saw intense action until the final moments [2]. West Ham equalized twice in stoppage time through Mateus Fernandes and Axel Disasi [3]. Lucas Perri, Leeds’ goalkeeper, saved penalties from Jarrod Bowen and Pablo during the shootout [4].

struijk’s decisive moment

Pascal Struijk scored the winning penalty for Leeds United, marking a personal milestone for the Dutch defender from Amsterdam [5]. His shot struck the post but went in, sealing the 4-2 shootout win [6]. This achievement is particularly significant as it ends a 39-year wait for Leeds to return to the FA Cup semi-finals [7]. Struijk, who represents Suriname internationally, has become a key figure in Leeds’ campaign [8].

path to wembley and historical context

Leeds United will face Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley, scheduled for April 25-26, 2026 [9]. The last time Leeds reached this stage was in 1987, when they lost to Coventry City [10]. Their previous FA Cup triumph came in 1972 [11]. Manager Daniel Farke praised the team’s resilience, calling it a historic chapter for the club [12]. The upcoming match revives memories of the 1970 final, where Chelsea defeated Leeds after a replay [13].

match dynamics and player performances

Ao Tanaka opened the scoring for Leeds in the 26th minute, giving them an early lead [14]. Dominic Calvert-Lewin extended the advantage with a penalty in the 75th minute [15]. However, West Ham fought back fiercely, leveling the score in added time [16]. Goalkeeper Alphonse Areola was injured, leading to debutant Finlay Herrick taking over [17]. Despite saving a penalty from Joel Piroe, Herrick couldn’t prevent Leeds from advancing [18].

road ahead for both clubs

Following their elimination, West Ham shifts focus to the Premier League, with a fixture against Wolves on April 11, 2026 [19]. For Leeds, attention turns to their semi-final clash with Chelsea at Wembley [20]. Prior to that, Leeds faces Manchester United on April 14, 2026, in a crucial league encounter [21]. Both teams aim to balance domestic commitments while pursuing silverware in the prestigious tournament [22].

Bronnen

FA Cup Pascal Struijk