Manchester United’s defense of their FA Cup title came to an end on Wednesday night, as they were defeated by Fulham in a thrilling penalty shootout. The match had ended 1-1 after extra time, with Bruno Fernandes’ late equalizer canceling out Calvin Bassey’s first-half header for Fulham.
The defeat was a disappointing one for Manchester United, who had been hoping to retain their FA Cup title. However, Fulham were worthy winners, having dominated possession and created several scoring chances throughout the match.
Fulham’s victory was their first-ever win over Manchester United in the FA Cup, and it marked a major upset in the competition. The Cottagers will now go on to face either Blackburn Rovers or Sheffield United in the quarterfinals.
Manchester United’s defeat was their second in a row, following their 1-0 loss to Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday. The Red Devils will be looking to bounce back from these setbacks when they face Real Betis in the Europa League next week.
Marco Silva’s side took the lead in the first half through Bassey’s header, and they looked set to hold on for a 1-0 win. However, Fernandes’ late equalizer sent the match into extra time, where neither side could find a winner.
The penalty shootout was a nail-biting affair, with both sides converting their first three penalties. However, Fulham’s goalkeeper, Marek Rodak, made a crucial save from Manchester United’s fourth penalty-taker, Alejandro Garnacho, to give his side the advantage.
Fulham’s players were jubilant at the final whistle, celebrating their historic win over Manchester United. The Cottagers will now be looking to build on this momentum and make a deep run in the FA Cup.