Arsenal faced an unexpected elimination from the quarter-finals of the Women’s FA Cup for the second consecutive year, as Brighton delivered a stunning performance at Borehamwood, knocking out the 14-time cup champions.

While Liverpool managed to avoid a similar fate by scoring late in extra time against a determined Charlton Athletic side, Arsenal fell short, producing a performance that failed to meet their usual standards.

This surprising outcome means Arsenal’s wait for the Women’s FA Cup trophy extends into a tenth year, following their recent triumph over Chelsea in the Champions League, which had propelled them into the semi-finals. Brighton, under the guidance of Dario Vidosic, rose to the occasion, with Fran Kirby, a former Chelsea player, contributing two assists that secured a 2-0 victory for her team.

The first goal came shortly after the second half began, when Kirby set up Madison Haley, who executed a remarkable finish into the top corner from the right side of the penalty area, making the score 1-0. Then, just over 15 minutes later, a corner from Kirby found Caitlin Hayes, who headed the ball in at the far post, further increasing Brighton’s chances of clinching their first major trophy in women’s football.

Brighton’s victory was a deserved one, particularly as Arsenal appeared disorganized and perhaps fatigued following their midweek exertions. Historically dominant in this competition, Arsenal has not reached the FA Cup semi-finals since 2022, and they opted to leave key players like Alessia Russo, Katie McCabe, and Olivia Smith on the bench, making a total of six changes from the lineup that faced Chelsea.

Last season, Arsenal also exited at the quarter-final stage on home soil against Liverpool. This time around, Liverpool faced Charlton Athletic in the last eight and had to work hard to secure their place in the next round.

Charlton’s defense was well-structured, making it challenging for the top-tier side to penetrate. Liverpool had a potential goal ruled out for offside when Beata Olsson’s flick was disallowed, and despite dominating possession, they only managed to force Charlton’s goalkeeper, Sophie Whitehouse, into a couple of saves.

Eventually, Liverpool found a breakthrough with a scrappy goal. After Jenna Clark hit the woodwork twice during a chaotic moment following a corner, the ball fell to substitute Zara Shaw, who managed to poke it home. This marked a significant moment for Shaw, who celebrated her return to competitive football after a year-long recovery from a knee injury, and her teammates shared in her joy.

Shaw’s winner came just 12 minutes after she was introduced, and manager Gareth Taylor praised her story, stating, “What a story, Zara Shaw, eh? The way people speak about her at the club, it couldn’t have happened to a better person.” He added that breaking down a defensively solid team like Charlton is always a challenge, despite their recent goals conceded.

Charlton’s head coach, Karen Hills, a former cup winner with the club in 2005, expressed pride in her team’s effort in front of a record crowd of 2,164, the largest for a women’s match at the Valley in over two decades. She reflected on the mixed emotions of being eliminated from the quarter-finals but emphasized her pride in the team’s performance, noting, “They were outstanding. We dug in and showed a lot of character. They didn’t have many clear-cut chances, and it took a messy goal to win the game. We wanted to showcase our identity today, and I hope new fans are proud of that performance, as I know my players and I are.”