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Skimm’d in 2 minutes — The FA Cup quarter-finals are here, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. With Wembley in sight, here’s your quick rundown on the latest action, standout moments, and what’s next in the world’s oldest soccer competition.

Why It Matters

The FA Cup is back, and it’s delivering all the drama soccer fans crave. On March 29, 2025, Crystal Palace soared into the semi-finals with a 3-0 win over Fulham, while Brighton and Nottingham Forest are battling it out tonight for another coveted spot. With underdog stories and big dreams on the line, this weekend’s matches are a must-watch for anyone who loves a good Cinderella story—or just wants to see Manchester City sweat.

The Big Story

Crystal Palace punched their ticket to the FA Cup semi-finals earlier today, dominating Fulham in a 3-0 London derby at Craven Cottage. Eberechi Eze stole the show, scoring a stunning curler and setting up another goal, with Ismaïla Sarr and Eddie Nketiah also finding the net. Palace’s defense was rock-solid—they haven’t conceded an away goal in 2025, according to The Guardian. Meanwhile, Fulham’s loss marks their fifth straight FA Cup quarter-final defeat, leaving them to focus on a Premier League push for Europe.

Tonight, Brighton face Nottingham Forest at 5:15 PM GMT (1:15 PM EDT) on the south coast. Brighton are the bookmakers’ favorites after knocking out heavyweights like Chelsea and Newcastle earlier in the competition, as reported by The Standard. But Forest, who haven’t reached the semi-finals since 1991, are hungry to end their trophy drought—especially after thrashing Brighton 7-0 just two months ago. Forest will miss star striker Chris Wood, sidelined by a hip injury from international duty, which could tilt the scales.

Tomorrow, the action continues with Preston vs. Aston Villa and Bournemouth vs. Manchester City. The semi-final draw happens Sunday after the Preston-Villa game, setting the stage for Wembley showdowns.

The Unexpected Twist

This year’s FA Cup is shaping up to be an underdog’s dream—unless Manchester City crashes the party. As AP News points out, City are the only team left who’ve won major silverware this century. The other seven clubs—Crystal Palace, Brighton, Nottingham Forest, Fulham, Bournemouth, Aston Villa, and Preston—are all chasing their first big trophy in decades (or ever). Palace’s win today has fans buzzing about a potential first-ever FA Cup title, while Forest and Villa are also eyeing historic runs.

What’s Next?

All eyes are on tonight’s Brighton vs. Nottingham Forest clash, which you can stream live on ESPN+ in the US or BBC One in the UK. Tomorrow’s matches will round out the semi-final lineup, with Man City facing a tricky test at Bournemouth. Posts on X show fans are hyped—some are calling Palace the team to beat, while others are rooting for Forest to keep the underdog story alive. The FA Cup’s magic is in full swing, and with Wembley on the horizon, anything can happen.

Skimm More

• Catch up on Crystal Palace’s journey with this Guardian recap of their 3-0 win over Fulham.
• Want to know more about Brighton’s FA Cup run? Check out this Standard preview of their match against Forest.
• Dive into the FA Cup’s history and why it matters with this Sky Sports feature on the quarter-finals.

Skimm’d For You

• FA Cup Semi-Finals: Crystal Palace are in—who’s next?
• Brighton vs. Forest: A 5:15 PM GMT kickoff tonight with Wembley on the line.
• Underdog Dreams: Can anyone stop Manchester City?