Liverpool 2 Brighton and Hove Albion 3
Brighton and Hove Albion substitute Nadine Noordam struck a dramatic added-time winner to send the Seagulls reached the Women’s FA Cup final for the first time.
The late goal capped a remarkable comeback as Albion battling from two goals down to beat Liverpool 3-2 in St Helens.
The Reds, who are three-time runners-up, were on course for Wembley thanks to first-half goals from Denise O’Sullivan and Beata Olsson.
But Albion levelled through Manuela Vanegas and Madison Haley before Dutch midfielder Noordam completed the comeback in the fifth minute of added time.
Brighton faced an uphill task after Liverpool midfielder O’Sullivan glanced home a cross from Ceri Holland in the 11th minute.
And Reds top scorer Olsson capitalised on sloppy defending by firing into the top-right corner to double the lead.
Albion immediately pulled one back through a close-range finish from Colombia defender Vanegas and then equalised nine minutes into the second half when American forward Haley headed in a right-wing cross from Kiko Seike.
With extra time looming, Seagulls goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie produced crucial saves to deny Liverpool pair Aurelie Csillag and Cornelia Kapocs before Noordam lashed home her first goal for the club, just six minutes after replacing Fran Kirby.
Albion are due to face Manchester City at Wembley on Sunday 31 May after their own battle back from 2-0 down against the current holders Chelsea. City won 3-2 after extra time.
At Stamford Bridge, the hosts were two up – thanks to Erin Cuthbert and Sam Kerr – until the 86th minute when Mary Fowler scored the first of three late goals for City.
Khadija Shaw, out of contract at the end of the season and linked with a move to Chelsea, equalised in stoppage time and bagged the winner in the first period of extra time.
The semi-final triumph came six days after City were confirmed as Women’s Super League champions, on Monday, ending a 10-year title drought.
Albion head coach Dario Vidosic said: “I’m extremely proud of the girls – and to be leading the team out at Wembley.
“The scenes at the end were great – to see the joy on the faces of the fans. It was nice to take a step back and watch everyone celebrate.
“We’ve got a very special end to the season to look forward to and we have to embrace that.”
