West Ham 2-2 Leeds: FA Cup 2025-26 match report

The FA Cup quarter-final at London Stadium ended in a dramatic stalemate that saw West Ham United and Leeds United push each other to the limits of physical endurance. In a contest defined by tactical shifts and late-game volatility, the visitors held a commanding lead for the majority of the match, only to be pegged back in a chaotic conclusion to regulation time.

The opening

Nuno Espirito Santo set West Ham up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, looking to control the midfield, while Daniel Farke opted for a more fluid 3-4-2-1 structure for Leeds. The visitors settled into their rhythm early, disrupting West Ham’s build-up play and forcing errors in the defensive third.

The breakthrough arrived in the 26th minute. A well-constructed move saw Noah Okafor provide the decisive pass for Ao Tanaka, who finished clinically to put Leeds in front. The goal forced West Ham to chase the game, but the home side struggled to penetrate the disciplined Leeds backline. Farke was forced into an early tactical adjustment in the 38th minute, replacing Brenden Aaronson with Anton Stach to reinforce the midfield battle. Lukas Nmecha picked up a caution shortly before the interval, signaling the increasing intensity of the midfield duels as the teams headed into the break with Leeds holding a narrow 1-0 advantage.

The decisive moment

The second half began with immediate intent from the West Ham bench. Espirito Santo introduced Freddie Potts and Soungoutou Magassa in place of Tomáš Souček and Pablo, looking to inject pace and defensive stability. However, Leeds remained composed, and the match turned in their favor following a VAR intervention in the 73rd minute.

A penalty was awarded to Leeds, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin stepped up to convert, extending the lead to 2-0 in the 75th minute. With the clock ticking down and Leeds seemingly in control, the game appeared destined for a routine away victory. However, the final moments of regulation time produced a flurry of activity that altered the complexion of the tie.

In the 90th minute, Mateus Fernandes found the back of the net to give West Ham a lifeline. Moments later, Axel Disasi appeared to have leveled the score following an assist from Adama Traoré. While the stadium erupted, a subsequent VAR review in the 92nd minute identified an infringement, and the goal was controversially cancelled, keeping Leeds in the lead for the remaining seconds of injury time. Despite the setback, the atmosphere remained electric as the match moved into extra time, with both sides exhausted but unwilling to concede the initiative.

Looking ahead

The remainder of extra time saw a flurry of substitutions as both managers attempted to manage the fatigue of their squads. Kyle Walker-Peters received a caution for West Ham, while both sides rotated their attacking options, including the late introduction of Adama Traoré and a tactical change in goal for the hosts.

The result leaves both teams to reflect on a grueling encounter that tested their defensive resolve and tactical flexibility. For West Ham, the late disallowed goal serves as a point of contention, while Leeds will look to regroup after failing to protect a two-goal cushion in the final minutes. Both squads must now pivot their focus toward their respective league campaigns as the domestic season enters its final, decisive stretch.