FOOTBALLFA Cup
West Ham United 2-2 Brentford: Hammers Ease Into FA Cup Quarter Final On Penalties
West Ham put their relegation worries aside to reach the FA Cup quarterfinals for the first time in 10 years, defeating Brentford on penalties after a thrilling 2-2 draw.
In this report
West Ham United put their relegation worries to one side to reach the quarterfinals of the FA Cup for the first time in 10 years by defeating London rivals Brentford 5-3 on penalties. In a fiercely contested cup tie under the London Stadium lights, Jarrod Bowen and Igor Thiago traded braces in normal time to send the game the distance.
With nothing to separate the sides after 120 minutes of breathless football, the match was ultimately decided by an astonishing lapse in judgement from the spot. Dango Ouattara was guilty of making a terrible mistake while attempting a Panenka. His woefully under-hit chip was comfortably read by Alphonse Areola, completely shifting the momentum of the shootout.
The hosts were clinical from 12 yards, dispatching every single one of their spot-kicks before Konstantinos Mavropanos stepped up. The Greek defender emphatically struck the winning kick to book the Hammers a last-eight home tie with Leeds United, providing a welcome boost in an otherwise turbulent season.
Timeline of key events
- 19'
Goal (West Ham) - Jarrod Bowen pops up to draw first blood for the Hammers.
- 28'
Goal (Brentford) - Igor Thiago levels the scoreline.
- 34'
Goal (West Ham) - Bowen secures his brace, converting coolly from the penalty spot.
- HT
West Ham 2-1 Brentford
- 80'
Yellow Card - Crysencio Summerville goes into the book for West Ham.
- 81'
Goal (Brentford) - Igor Thiago responds with a penalty of his own to grab his second of the night.
- 89'
Yellow Card - Tomas Soucek picks up a booking as the tension mounts.
- FT
West Ham 2-2 Brentford (Extra Time)
- HT ET
West Ham 2-2 Brentford
- FT ET
West Ham 2-2 Brentford (Penalties)
- PENS
West Ham win 5-3! Ouattara disastrously misses a Panenka before Mavropanos smashes home the winning penalty.
Match statistics
| Metric | West Ham United | Brentford |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 2 | 2 |
| Half Time | 2 | 1 |
| Full Time | 2-2 (Extra Time) | |
| Penalties | 5 | 3 |
| Goalscorers | Bowen 19', Bowen pen 34' | Thiago 28', Thiago pen 81' |
| Yellow Cards | Summerville 80', Souček 89' | — |
| Red Cards | — | — |
| Attendance | 48,570 |
Possession, shots, passing and fouls: official match data issued in the press box. Expected goals: third party provider, as published. Saves counted at the ground and verified against the team sheet.
Match details
- Competition
- Emirates FA Cup 5th Round
- Date
- Monday 9th March 2026
- Venue
- London Stadium, London
- Final Score
- West Ham United 2 - 2 Brentford (West Ham win 5-3 on penalties)
- Attendance
- 48,570
Editorial judgement, not a statistic
William Powell's standout players
Dango Ouattara (Brentford) Highlighted for all the wrong reasons. Made a terrible mistake with an ill-advised Panenka in the shootout that ultimately cost the Bees their place in the tournament.
Konstantinos Mavropanos (West Ham) The hero of the hour, stepping up and striking the winning penalty to book a home tie with Leeds.
Selected by William Powell at the ground.
William Powell
Senior Editor · FWA Life Member · Sports Journalist since 1987
William Powell is CUVA Sports' senior editor and lead correspondent, covering football and cricket at the highest level for nearly four decades. A Life Member of the Football Writers' Association, his writing combines deep tactical knowledge with the narrative flair of the best sports journalism.
