West Ham United advanced to the FA Cup quarter-finals after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Brentford, with Dango Ouattara's ill-fated Panenka proving decisive. The match ended 2-2 after extra time, with Jarrod Bowen and Igor Thiago each scoring twice, before West Ham triumphed 5-3 on penalties.
Bowen opened the scoring in the first half, tapping in from close range after a recycled corner, and later converted a penalty after Michael Kayode fouled Adama Traoré. Brentford equalised through a deflected Nathan Collins header, but West Ham regained the lead when Bowen scored from the spot. Igor Thiago levelled again with a second-half penalty after Crysencio Summerville was adjudged to have shoved Kayode in the box.
In the shootout, all five West Ham takers scored, with Konstantinos Mavropanos netting the winner. Ouattara's attempt was a weak Panenka that looped into Alphonse Areola's hands. Brentford assistant Keith Andrews defended Ouattara, saying: 'It takes unbelievable courage to take a penalty. I despise the culture around players that miss penalty kicks.'
West Ham manager Nuno Espírito Santo praised his team's resilience: 'A long night, but a good one. The fans deserve this moment of happiness.' West Ham will now host Leeds United in the quarter-finals.
