On March 2, 2025, Fulham delivered one of the most shocking upsets of the FA Cup when they eliminated Manchester United at Old Trafford, securing victory through penalties after the match ended 1-1 following extra time. This victory marked Fulham's significant stride toward the quarter-finals of the competition, showcasing their resilience against one of the Premier League's most storied clubs.
The match began with Manchester United asserting dominance early on, launching several attempts to find the net. Yet, as the half progressed, Fulham found their footing, and it was during the dying moments of the first half when they struck first. A corner kick led to Bassey capitalizing on loose marking, heading the ball past United's goalkeeper André Onana, sending the visitors 1-0 up right before the break. Discontent was palpable among the home fans as they booed their players off the pitch.
After the halftime whistle, Manchester United, driven by urgency, pressed forward to equalize. Their efforts bore fruit when Bruno Fernandes expertly found the back of the net 25 minutes after the restart, leveling the score at 1-1. The atmosphere electrified as United fans reignited their hopes for victory. Yet, as the momentum shifted, Fulham began to reclaim control, testing Onana with several attempts but unable to convert.
The remaining minutes saw chances squandered on both ends. Garnacho, for United, found himself one-on-one with Fulham’s goalkeeper Bernd Leno but failed to convert, and as time lapsed, it became evident neither side would claim victory within regulation, prompting extra time.
During the two additional halves, both teams crafted promising opportunities, yet Onana and Leno stepped up magnificently, executing pivotal stops to deny their opponents. Tensions escalated with each missed chance, and as the final whistle beckoned, both clubs faced the impending drama of penalties.
When the penalty shootout commenced, it was high-stakes for both teams. For Manchester United, Bruno Fernandes, Dalot, and Casemiro converted their penalties successfully. Yet, disaster struck as Victor Lindelöf's attempt was saved by Leno, swinging the momentum. Fulham, on the other hand, capitalized on their chances expertly. Raúl Jiménez, Berge, and Willian scored, and amid mounting pressure, Antonee Robinson sealed the 4-3 victory with his penalty. This moment elicited jubilation from the visiting fans as Fulham's players embraced each other on the pitch.
This remarkable performance by Fulham not only knocked out one of the giants of English football but also sets the tone for what's next. They will face Brighton next Saturday, fully buoyed by their FA Cup success. Meanwhile, Manchester United, thanks to their dependencies on cup competitions to salvage their season, must reflect deeply on this loss as they prepare for their upcoming league fixture against Real Sociedad.
Fulham's advancement exemplifies the unpredictable nature of the FA Cup, celebrated for its excitement where underdogs can triumph against well-established clubs. Their coach, Marco Silva, praised his team's determination and tactical discipline displayed throughout the match, noting how pivotal character moments unfolded, especially during the shootout.
With such thrilling narratives culminating from this FA Cup encounter, both teams will undoubtedly take lessons from this match, adjusting their strategies as the season progresses and aiming to fulfill fans' expectations on the pitch. The football world eagerly watches this developing story as the next stage of the tournament unfurls.