The 2026 Women's FA Cup competition has reached its last eight contenders, and even perennial winners needed a little bit of late-match magic to advance out of last weekend's fifth round — with Chelsea FC's Naomi Girma leading the heroics on Sunday.
Locked up 1-1 with Manchester United, the six-time FA Cup victors were hunting a game-winner when USWNT center back Naomi Girma broke through, scoring in the 99th minute of extra time to send Chelsea into next month's quarterfinals.
"I'm just very happy and very excited to have scored my first goal [with Chelsea]," Girma said after the game. "It was such an important match for us to win going into the international break as well."
The Blues will next face fellow WSL side Tottenham in their April 5th quarterfinal, with the Spurs advancing on a dramatic fifth-round win of their own on Monday.
After a second-half stoppage-time penalty drew Tottenham even with the London City Lionesses 2-2, a scoreless extra time saw the match end in a marathon shootout in which players converted the first 17 shots — before a save from Spurs goalkeeper Lize Kop ended the barrage 9-8.
As for the other 2026 FA Cup quarterfinals, more than a little US flair will be on display.
Joining Girma and Chelsea teammate Alyssa Thompson in the competition's next stage will be midfielder Sam Coffey, whose new club Manchester City advanced to face WSL2 club Birmingham City, as well as USWNT defender Emily Fox, who will take on Brighton & Hove Albion with her club, Arsenal.
Meanwhile, despite battling relegation in 11th place in WSL play, Liverpool will face WSL2 side Charlton Athletic — who are currently on track for WSL promotion next season — in the April 5th quarterfinals.
