Manchester United's once-mighty reign as FA Cup champions finished unexpectedly on Sunday, March 2, 2025, as Fulham overcame the hosts 4-3 on penalties following a thrilling 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.
Calvin Bassey opened the scoring for Fulham, netting with a powerful header on the stroke of half-time, thanks to Andreas Pereira's precise corner kick delivery. This marked Bassey's first goal during his FA Cup debut, showcasing his aerial strength and determination. The 25-year-old defender's goal sent the visiting supporters at Old Trafford momentarily wild.
Although Fulham held the upper hand for most of the first half, Manchester United found their footing as the second half progressed, demonstrating strong attacking prowess. Bruno Fernandes leveled the match with his goal at 76 minutes, deftly finishing from 16 yards after receiving the ball from Diogo Dalot.
Despite opportunities for both teams to clinch the match during the remaining minutes of regulation and 30 minutes of extra time, neither could land the decisive goal. Young Chido Obi-Martin brought energy to United's attack as he made his entry as a substitute but found himself thwarted by Fulham's goalkeeper, Bernd Leno, who increasingly rose to the occasion.
When the necessary 120 minutes concluded, the teams faced each other from the penalty spot. Both sides endured tense moments; Fulham's keeper Leno was pivotal, saving penalties from Victor Lindelof and Joshua Zirkzee. For Fulham, scoring substitutes ensured their triumph, sealing their fate to the quarterfinals.
Ruben Amorim's choice to rest Alejandro Garnacho after the player's controversial display last week reflected tactical adjustments, but it proved not enough against Fulham's unwavering spirit.
Following the match, Coach Amorim acknowledged the high stakes of the loss, stating, "We gave it our best but found ourselves struggling to convert chances against Fulham's resilient defense. Today just wasn’t our day.”
For Fulham, Alex Iwobi displayed excellence, playing the entire match and contributing significantly until fatigue led to his substitution late in extra time. His insightful runs created opportunities and provided support to Bassey during their impressive performance.
The victory marks another milestone for Fulham, who are striving to carve out their name among British football’s elite. With iron resolve and persevering spirit, knocking out the FA Cup holders boosts the team's confidence as they advance to the qudrawrtfinals, one step closer to the coveted silverware.
Fans and analysts alike laud both teams for their performances, highlighting the depth and energy displayed on the pitch. This encounter will not only be remembered for the tense penalty shootout but for the incredible atmosphere generated by the dedicated supporters on both sides.
Looking forward, Fulham fans can anticipate exciting times as their team gears up to face the next opponent, with hopes high for more memorable moments from their FA Cup campaign. Meanwhile, Manchester United will regroup and reflect on the strategies moving forward after their unexpected elimination from this year’s knockout competition.