Defending FA Cup champions Arsenal beat Reading 2-1 after extra time in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley on Saturday thanks to a brace from Alexis Sanchez. The Chile international scored in the first half and in extra time to lead the Gunners’ charge to reach the final.
This is Arsenal’s 19th FA Cup final – a new record. Alexis gave Arsenal the lead in the 39th minute after Mesut Ozil lobbed a ball over the defence. Alexis controlled the ball, sold the defender a dummy and scored past Reading goalkeeper Adam Federici to make it 1-0.
However, Reading equalised just nine minutes into the second half when Garath McCleary volleyed home Pavel Pogrebnyak's cross from just outside the six-yard box. Even though Wojciech Szczesny got to the ball and held on to it, goal-line technology and TV replays confirmed that the ball had crossed the line.
With 90 minutes not enough to separate both sides, the match went into extra time and that was when Alexis doubled his tally with a shot that was spilt by Federici. The ball crept over the line before he could save it to give Alexis Sanchez his 22nd goal of the season. His second goal was also assisted by Ozil.
Arsenal will now face Aston Villa or Liverpool in the final. The two sides meet in the other semi-final of Sunday.
