Liverpool looked to be cruising towards Wembley after racing into a two-goal lead, but Brighton & Hove Albion produced one of the great comebacks in Women’s FA Cup history to win a dramatic semi-final 3-2 at St Helens Stadium, Soccernet.ng reports.
At the centre of Brighton’s historic afternoon was Nigeria goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, whose late saves kept the Seagulls alive before substitute Nadine Noordam struck a stoppage-time winner to send Brighton into their first-ever Women’s FA Cup final.
Brighton will now face either Chelsea Women or Manchester City Women at Wembley on 31 May.
Liverpool had made the perfect start. After only 11 minutes, Republic of Ireland midfielder Denise O'Sullivan glanced a header beyond Nnadozie from a dangerous cross delivered by Ceri Holland.
The Reds were aggressive, direct and full of confidence in the opening stages. Their pressure paid off again in the 22nd minute when Swedish striker Beata Olsson punished Brighton’s hesitant defending. The forward reacted quickest inside the area before smashing a powerful finish high into the net for 2-0. For a few moments, Liverpool looked unstoppable.
But Brighton responded almost immediately. Just 105 seconds after Olsson’s strike, Colombian defender Manuela Vanegas bundled the ball home from close range to reduce the deficit and completely change the mood inside the stadium.
That goal gave Brighton belief, while Liverpool suddenly began to look nervous whenever the visitors attacked.
Nnadozie keeps Brighton alive before Noordam's knockout blow
Brighton carried their momentum into the second half and nearly equalised early after the restart when experienced England forward Fran Kirby missed a huge chance from inside the box.
The equaliser finally arrived in the 54th minute. Japanese winger Kiko Seike delivered a teasing cross into the area and American forward Madison Haley rose highest to head past Liverpool goalkeeper Jennifer Falk for her fourth goal of the FA Cup campaign.
From that point, Brighton looked the more likely side to win it. Seike forced Falk into a fine save, while Liverpool struggled to regain the control they had enjoyed during the first 25 minutes.
Still, the home side nearly stole victory late on. With less than 10 minutes remaining, substitute Aurélie Csillag broke through on goal, but Nnadozie reacted brilliantly to push her effort away.
Moments later, the Nigerian goalkeeper produced another huge stop, tipping a powerful strike from Cornelia Kapocs over the crossbar.
Those saves proved decisive. As the match moved deep into stoppage time, Brighton won a free-kick near the Liverpool penalty area. The delivery caused panic inside the box and the ball eventually fell kindly for Noordam, who had only entered the match six minutes earlier.
The Dutch midfielder took one touch before smashing a fierce finish into the roof of the net in the fifth minute of added time.
Brighton’s bench emptied onto the pitch as Liverpool players dropped to the turf in disbelief.
It is easily the biggest result of manager Dario Vidosic's reign so far. Nnadozie's excellent performance, meanwhile, was another reminder of why she is quickly becoming one of the most important goalkeepers in women’s football.
And now, after surviving chaos, pressure and late Liverpool attacks, Brighton are one game away from lifting the Women’s FA Cup for the first time in their history.
