Manchester United beat Brighton & Hove Albion 7-6 on penalties in their FA Cup semi-final match after a 0-0 goalless draw in regulation time at Wembley Stadium, setting up a mammoth clash against rivals Manchester City in the finale.
For Brighton, Danny Welbeck featured in attack with Solly March and Kaoru Mitoma supporting on the wings. For Manchester United, Anthony Martial started up-front with Marcus Rashford and Antony on the flanks.
Brighton started the stronger of the two sides, with midfielder Alexis Mac Allister forcing United goalkeeper David De Gea into a fingertip save from a free-kick. United improved as the first half went on, but the scores remained 0-0 by halftime as Bruno Fernandes and Martial couldn’t convert their chances.
In the second half, Brighton almost opened the scoring through Julio Enciso, but his effort was denied by De Gea before Danny Welbeck headed wide from a corner. Substitute Jadon Sancho almost won it for Erik ten Hag’s men late on, but fired over the bar. The match finished 0-0 after 90 minutes.
In extra-time, Rashford missed an effort before Mitoma’s heavy touch denied him what seemed a certain last-minute winner. After 120 minutes the match was going to be decided by penalties.
In the shootout, after each of the first 12 penalties were scored, Brighton winger March missed his spot kick, making the scores tied at 6-6, leaving Manchester United with a chance to end the contest.
Defender Victor Lindelof then stepped up and scored the winning spot-kick, setting Manchester United up for a chance to claim a second trophy this season.
A fitting end to a thrilling match filled with goal-mouth action and majestic defending from both sides, following a tense 120 minutes.
Manchester United will now face rivals Manchester City in the FA Cup final at Wembley, in what promises to be a highly entertaining encounter.
The Derby 🤩
It’ll be an all-Manchester Final for the pinnacle of the 2022/23 #EmiratesFACup 🏆 pic.twitter.com/bgMobg4Qd8
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) April 23, 2023
Brighton gave everything and dominated possession for most of the game, but they could not score. For United, they were without three centre-backs, but managed to keep a clean sheet against one of the best attacking teams in England.
Brighton will visit Nottingham Forest next in the Premier League on Wednesday night, while Manchester United will face Tottenham on Thursday evening.
The Reds go marching on…@vlindelof‘s penalty booked @ManUtd‘s spot in the 2022-23 #EmiratesFACup Final after an enthralling semi-final encounter with @OfficialBHAFC! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/6LVMs60LCS
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) April 23, 2023
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