Chelsea and Leeds United are set to face off in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, April 26, 2026. The match kicked off at 3:00pm local time as part of the 2025/2026 Emirates FA Cup competition. Both teams entered the fixture with hopes of advancing to the final and securing a chance at silverware this season.
According to live match updates from Sky Sports, Chelsea took an early lead through Enzo Fernández, who scored in the 23rd minute. The goal came from a assist by Pedro Neto, giving Chelsea a 1-0 advantage heading into halftime. The attendance for the match was recorded at 82,542 fans at Wembley Stadium.
Live statistics from Foot Mercato showed Chelsea maintaining 57% possession compared to Leeds’ 43%. In terms of shooting, Chelsea recorded 7 shots on target out of 10 total attempts, whereas Leeds managed 5 shots on target from 7 attempts. Passing accuracy was strong for Chelsea’s midfield, with Pedro Neto completing 28 of 30 passes (93%) and Moisés Caicedo completing 60 of 65 passes (92%).
Key moments in the match included defensive actions and fouls throughout the second half. At the 78th minute, Leeds’ L. Nmecha committed a foul, followed by Chelsea’s E. Ampadu being involved in a foul incident at the 77th minute. Earlier in the half, at the 74th minute, Leeds’ A. Tanaka and Chelsea’s L. Nmecha were both involved in foul situations. Brenden Aaronson of Leeds had a shot on target in the 86th minute, while Chelsea’s N. Okafor and J. Bijol were involved in play at the 46th minute mark.
Team lineups confirmed Chelsea deployed a 4-2-3-1 formation, while Leeds lined up in a 3-4-2-1 system. Notable absences for Chelsea included Roméo Lavia and Dário Essugo due to muscle injuries, Reece James with hamstring issues, and Estêvão also sidelined with a hamstring problem. Filip Jørgensen and Robert Sánchez were unavailable due to groin and illness concerns respectively. For Leeds, Daniel James and Anton Stach were out with ankle and hamstring injuries, while Jamie Bynoe-Gittens missed the match due to muscle injury and illness.
The match officials were led by referee Jarred Gillett, who oversaw the FA Cup semi-final encounter. As the game progressed, both teams made tactical substitutions, including Chelsea bringing on Andrey Santos for R. Lavia in the 66th minute and Leeds introducing W. Gnonto in the 71st minute.
At halftime, the score remained 1-0 in favor of Chelsea, with Enzo Fernández’s early goal proving to be the decisive moment in the first half. The second half saw continued pressure from both sides, though no additional goals were reported in the available live updates during the regulation period.
As the FA Cup semi-final unfolded, the historical rivalry between Chelsea and Leeds added significance to the fixture, with both clubs aware of the opportunity to reach Wembley for the final. The winner of this match would advance to face either Manchester City or Manchester United in the FA Cup final, depending on the outcome of the other semi-final.
For global fans unable to attend the match in person, live coverage was available through official broadcasters and streaming platforms, with updates provided in real time via sports news outlets. The Emirates FA Cup continues to be one of the most prestigious domestic competitions in English football, offering a pathway to European qualification for the winning team.
As of the latest verified updates, Chelsea held a 1-0 lead over Leeds United late in the match, with the outcome still pending as the game approached its conclusion. Fans were advised to check official club channels and verified sports news sources for the final result and any potential extra time developments.
Stay tuned to Archysport for post-match analysis, player ratings, and reactions from both camps following this FA Cup semi-final showdown at Wembley Stadium.
