Kai Havertz faced a disappointing FA Cup exit as he missed a decisive penalty during the shootout, contributing to Arsenal’s 5:3 defeat against Manchester United. The match ended 1:1 after regular and extra time. Despite having an extra player after Diogo Dalot’s red card, Arsenal couldn’t secure the win. In other matches, Tottenham, Liverpool, Manchester City, and Chelsea all achieved convincing victories to advance in the tournament.
Kai Havertz’s Penalty Heartbreak in FA Cup Thriller
National team star Kai Havertz found himself at the center of attention for all the wrong reasons during a tense FA Cup encounter. The Arsenal forward missed a crucial penalty in the shootout, marking a painful exit for his team against the reigning champions on Sunday. He became the only player to falter in the shootout, as the match concluded with a 5:3 victory for Manchester United.
After a gripping 90 minutes that ended in a 1:1 draw (0:0), and no goals during the extra time, the stage was set for a dramatic shootout. United’s goalkeeper Altay Bayindir showcased his skills by saving Havertz’s penalty, having already thwarted a previous attempt from Martin Ødegaard during regular play.
Match Highlights: Arsenal vs. Manchester United
The match took a pivotal turn when Diogo Dalot received a yellow-red card in the 61st minute, leaving Arsenal with a numerical advantage. United’s captain, Bruno Fernandes, opened the scoring in the 52nd minute, but Arsenal quickly capitalized on their extra player, with Gabriel equalizing just 11 minutes later. Ødegaard had a golden opportunity to give Arsenal the lead but missed a penalty in the 72nd minute.
Arsenal pressed hard for a victory afterward but were unable to break through United’s defense, ultimately leading to the penalty shootout. Unfortunately for Havertz, it was a day to forget as he not only missed the penalty but also squandered several scoring chances throughout the match.
In other FA Cup action, Tottenham faced a nail-biting match against a fifth-division team but managed to secure their fourth-round spot with a 3:0 (0:0, 0:0) win after extra time. The London side needed over 100 minutes to find the net, aided by an own goal from Nathan Tshikuna (101). With the opposition forced to attack, Tottenham extended their lead with goals from Dejan Kulusevski (107) and Brennan Johnson (118).
Liverpool also cruised to victory with their B-team, effortlessly defeating a fourth-division side 4:0 (2:0). Despite a few missed opportunities, manager Arne Slot’s squad showcased their dominance throughout the match. Notable contributions came from Diogo Jota, who scored the opening goal (29), and Trent Alexander-Arnold, who netted a stunning long-range shot (45).
Meanwhile, Manchester City overwhelmed Salford with a resounding 8:0 (3:0) victory, with standout performances from Jeremy Doku, Divin Mubama, and hat-trick hero James McAtee, who scored three goals (62, 72, 81).
Chelsea also displayed their strength with a decisive 5:0 (1:0) win against a League Two opponent. After a missed penalty from Christopher Nkunku (17), Tosin Adarabioyo (39) opened the scoring, with Nkunku finding the net shortly after (50). Adarabioyo and Joao Felix added to the tally, wrapping up a commanding performance.