Substitute Nadine Noordam struck a dramatic added-time winner as Brighton reached the Women’s FA Cup final for the first time by battling back from two goals down to beat Liverpool 3-2 in St Helens.
The Reds, who are three-time runners-up, were on course for Wembley following first-half goals from Denise O’Sullivan and Beata Olsson.
But Albion levelled through Manuela Vanegas and Madison Haley before Dutch midfielder Noordam completed the comeback in the fifth minute of added time to set up a meeting with either Chelsea or Manchester City on Sunday 31 May.
Brighton faced an uphill task after Liverpool midfielder O’Sullivan glanced home a cross from Ceri Holland in the 11th minute and Reds top scorer Olsson capitalised on sloppy defending by firing into the top-right corner to double the lead.
Albion immediately pulled one back through a close-range finish from Colombia defender Vanegas and then equalised nine minutes into the second half when American forward Haley headed in a right-wing cross from Kiko Seike.
With extra time looming, Seagulls goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie produced crucial saves to deny Liverpool pair Aurelie Csillag and Cornelia Kapocs before Noordam lashed home her first goal for the club, just six minutes after replacing Fran Kirby.
PA
