Coventry City 3-3 Manchester United (Manchester United win 4-2 on penalties): FA Cup Semi-Final Drama at Wembley
Wembley Stadium, April 21, 2024
Manchester United advanced to the FA Cup final after a pulsating semi-final clash against Coventry City, prevailing 4-2 in a penalty shootout following a dramatic 3-3 draw after extra time. The Red Devils seemed to be cruising to victory with a three-goal lead, only for Coventry to produce a stunning comeback in the final 20 minutes, forcing the game into extra time and penalties. Rasmus Højlund converted the winning spot-kick to send United to the final.
First Half – United in Control
United started strongly, and Scott McTominay opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, turning home a cross from Diogo Dalot. The lead was doubled just before the break when Harry Maguire rose highest to head in a Bruno Fernandes corner in first-half stoppage time, giving Erik ten Hag’s men a comfortable 2-0 lead at halftime.
Second Half – Coventry’s Fightback
The Red Devils extended their lead in the 58th minute when Fernandes struck a well-placed shot into the bottom left corner. At 3-0, United looked set for a routine win. However, Coventry had other ideas.
Ellis Simms pulled one back for the Championship side in the 71st minute, slotting home from close range after good work by Fabio Tavares. Callum O’Hare then set up a tense finish with a stunning long-range effort in the 79th minute. Coventry completed their remarkable comeback deep into stoppage time when Haji Wright converted a penalty in the 95th minute after a VAR check confirmed a handball by Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Extra Time and Penalties – United Hold Their Nerve
The additional 30 minutes saw chances for both sides, with United hitting the crossbar through Bruno Fernandes and Coventry having a late goal ruled out for offside. The match ultimately went to penalties, where United’s experience showed.
Diogo Dalot, Christian Eriksen, Bruno Fernandes, and Rasmus Højlund all converted their spot-kicks for United, while André Onana saved Callum O’Hare’s penalty and Ben Sheaf missed high and wide. Højlund sealed the victory with a confident strike, sparking celebrations among the United faithful at Wembley.
Match Details:
Date: April 21, 2024
Venue: Wembley Stadium, London
Attendance: 83,672
Referee: Robert Jones
Goals:
Coventry City: Simms (71′), O’Hare (79′), Wright (90’+5′ pen)
Manchester United: McTominay (23′), Maguire (45’+1′), Fernandes (58′)
Penalty Shootout:
Coventry City: Wright ✅, Torp ✅, O’Hare ❌, Sheaf ❌
Manchester United: Dalot ✅, Eriksen ✅, Fernandes ✅, Højlund ✅
Coventry City XI: Collins, Kitching, Latibeaudiere, Thomas, Bidwell (Dasilva 80′), Eccles (Torp 63′), Sheaf, van Ewijk, O’Hare, Wright, Simms.
Manchester United XI: Onana, Dalot, Maguire, Evans (Ferdinand 83′), Wan-Bissaka, Mainoo (Eriksen 72′), McTominay (Forson 103′), Fernandes, Garnacho (Antony 66′), Rashford (Diallo 90’+7′), Højlund.
Yellow Cards: Onana (85′), Dasilva (111′), Collins (120′)
Post-Match Reflections
United manager Erik ten Hag acknowledged his team’s late struggles but praised their resilience:
“We should never have let them back into the game, but credit to Coventry—they showed incredible fight. In the end, our composure in the shootout made the difference. We now have to focus on finishing the job in the final.”
Coventry boss Mark Robins reflected on his side’s remarkable performance:
“I’m immensely proud of the lads. To come back from 3-0 down against Manchester United shows our spirit. Penalties are always a lottery, but we can hold our heads high.”
United now move on to the FA Cup final, where they will seek to lift the trophy and end the season on a high note.
