Martha Thomas’ extra-time winner secured Tottenham Hotspur a place in their first-ever FA Cup final as they overcame Leicester City 2-1 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The semi-final marked the furthest stage either team had made it in the competition in their history. It was Leicester who took the first steps into the history books as Jutta Rantala opened the scoring with a stinging finish from inside the box.
The East Midlands outfit could not sustain their lead to full-time as Jessica Naz slotted home in the 83rd minute to send the game to extra-time. The extra 30 minutes only added further heartbreak to the Foxes as Martha Thomas buried her header with two minutes left on the clock.
It was jubilation for Tottenham, who turned a new page in their club’s history, but for Leicester, it was perhaps the cruellest end to an impressive cup run.
Inside a modern Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the women’s FA Cup semi-finals also took on a new look.
Two teams competing in their first women’s FA Cup semi-final. Two teams also aiming for a further piece of history by making their first ever FA Cup Final at Wembley.
In this unfamiliar territory, both managers opted for unchanged starting line-ups from their WSL matches prior to the international break.
It was Leicester with the earliest chance of the match when a slow pass in the Spurs defence allowed Fox’s captain Sam Tierney to nick possession but her attempt swerved just left of the target.
Both teams struggled when faced with a sight of goal. Two chances for Celin Bizet in quick succession were fired straight at Lize Kop and then over despite being unchallenged.
So, for both sides a place at Wembley now rested on 30 minutes and the potential of penalties.
Now it was time for Leicester to introduce fresh faces with Aileen Whelan and Julie Thibaud making up a double substitution from interim manager Jennifer Foster.
