Yesterday played the first semi-final of the English Football Association Cup. At the "Wembley" stadium, the second division team "Reading" met last year's cup winners and this season's contender for the highest "Premier" league awards, London's "Arsenal".
Despite the fact that the "Gunners" controlled the ball for a significantly longer time during the entire match, the intrigue did not lack until the final whistle of the referee.
In the first half, neither team had many chances, but Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez took advantage of the opportunity and brilliantly put his team ahead in the 40th minute. The next dangerous attacks from the capital club were well defended by the Reading goalkeeper.
In the second half, the representatives of the Championship managed to surprise the favorites, and Garath McCleary equalized with a precise shot. The "Gunners" couldn't score more, so the teams had to go into extra time.
In extra time, both teams had chances to score, but at the end of the first extra time period, luck smiled once again to Alexis Sanchez, whose shot, straight at the goalkeeper, slipped out of his hands and into the goal. In the last fifteen minutes, "Reading" failed to create dangerous opportunities, and it was even Arsenal who came closer to scoring their third goal.
The London team, winning the victory, will face the winner of the Birmingham "Aston Villa" - "Liverpool" pair in the final, who will clarify their relationship tomorrow.
Result:
Reading 1 - 2 Arsenal
[0-1] 40' Alexis Sanchez
[1-1] 54' Garath McCleary
[1-2] 115' Alexis Sanchez
