Fulham secured a dramatic FA Cup quarter-final spot with a thrilling penalty shootout victory over defending champions Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Goalkeeper Bernd Leno emerged as the hero, making back-to-back saves from Victor Lindelof and Joshua Zirkzee to seal a historic 4-3 shootout win after a tense 120 minutes ended in a 1-1 draw.
Leno’s Heroics Propel Fulham to Victory
The former Arsenal shot-stopper produced two decisive penalty saves, ensuring Marco Silva’s side progressed to the last eight for the first time in four years.
Raul Jimenez, Sander Berge, Willian, and Antonee Robinson all converted their spot-kicks for Fulham, while United’s Bruno Fernandes, Diogo Dalot, and Casemiro found the net before costly misses ended their FA Cup defense.
This historic triumph marked Fulham’s first FA Cup elimination of United since 1908 and only their third-ever win at Old Trafford since the 1960s.
It was also their second victory at the stadium in just 12 months, following two narrow Premier League defeats to the Red Devils earlier this season.
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Late Fernandes Equalizer Forces Extra Time
The match saw United once again struggle defensively, conceding the first goal for the sixth consecutive game. After a subdued first half played against the backdrop of a fan protest over ticket prices, Fulham seized the advantage just before halftime.
Calvin Bassey rose highest to head home after Rodrigo Muniz flicked on Andreas Pereira’s corner, leaving United trailing at the break.
United, who introduced Alejandro Garnacho and Victor Lindelof in the second half, found themselves frustrated by a resilient Fulham defense, however, their captain Bruno Fernandes stepped up with a moment of magic, lashing a first-time effort into the bottom corner after an intelligent cutback from Diogo Dalot, sending Old Trafford into a frenzy.
Dramatic Extra Time and Shootout Glory for Fulham
With momentum on their side, United pushed for a late winner, but efforts from Garnacho, Harry Maguire, and Chido Obi failed to beat Leno. Extra time brought further drama as Casemiro went close and substitute Ryan Sessegnon forced a strong save from Andre Onana.
However, neither side could break the deadlock, setting up a high-stakes penalty shootout.
Leno then took center stage, saving Lindelof’s and Zirkzee’s efforts to send Fulham through to a mouthwatering London derby against Crystal Palace in the quarter-finals at Craven Cottage later this month.
This victory not only extends Fulham’s impressive cup run but also piles further pressure on United manager Ruben Amorim, whose side continues to falter in key moments.
Meanwhile, Marco Silva’s Fulham will now set their sights on making history in the FA Cup’s later stages.
