Sander Kartum scored a magnificent double as Hearts defeated struggling William Hill Premiership rivals Dundee 3-1 at Tynecastle to reach the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup for the fifth time in seven seasons.
The Norwegian midfielder gave the Jambos a 1-0 interval lead with his first goal since arriving from Brann in January before the Dark Blues levelled five minutes after the break through captain Joe Shaugnessy.
But the Edinburgh side regained command through an own goal from Simon Murray and a second of the night from Kartum as Dundee’s pursuit of a first Scottish Cup triumph since 1910 was extended into a 116th year.
Hearts boss Neil Critchley made four changes to the side that started Sunday’s Edinburgh derby defeat at Hibernian, with Adam Forrester, Lewis Neilson, Kartum and Kenneth Vargas all added as the injured Jamie McCart dropped out along with Gerald Taylor, Jorge Grant and James Wilson.
Dundee boss Tony Docherty switched from 4-3-3 to 3-5-2 and made two personnel changes to the team that drew 1-1 at home to St Johnstone, as Mo Sylla and the suspended Lyall Cameron were replaced by Ryan Astley and Fin Robertson.
Hearts – chasing Scottish Cup glory for the first time since 2012 – went close in the third minutes when Vargas fired a ferocious strike from the left just beyond the far post after Kartum had switched the ball as the hosts broke following a Dundee corner.
The visitors, thrashed 6-0 by Hearts last month and struggling in the league, were competitive in the early stages and Murray threatened in the 14th minute when he cut in from the left and saw a low shot gathered by Craig Gordon.
But the Jambos made the breakthrough in the 27th minute when Kartum curled a sublime shot into Trevor Carson’s top right-hand corner after being teed up on the edge of the ‘D’ following good work by Lawrence Shankland and Blair Spittal.
Shankland had a lobbed effort ruled out 10 minutes later for offside against team-mate Elton Kabangu before Dundee attacker Seun Adewumi hit the bar in the last action of the first half after getting in behind the home defence.
The Dark Blues made a change for the start of the second half as Sylla replaced Jordan McGhee, but the hosts almost doubled their lead three minutes after the restart when Kartum curled just over from similar range to his goal.
The visitors drew level in the 50th minute when Shaughnessy, who recently returned from 10 months out injured, powered home a close-range header following a brilliant cross from the left by Ziyad Larkeche.
Hearts regained the initiative with a degree of fortune in the 63rd minute when Spittal’s driven free-kick from the left was inadvertently glanced into his own net by the head of Murray.
And four minutes later, the Edinburgh side were in full control when Shankland fed Kartum, who spun away from Robertson and drove into the box before flicking an exquisite finish with outside of his left foot low beyond Carson from 16 yards out.
[(Shimizu S-Pulse) Weakness]: 1. Shimizu S-Pulse are 13th in the J1 League table. Facing 2nd-placed Kashima Antlers, they will find it hard to win this match due to their declining form, indicating doubtful motivation.2. Shimizu S-Pulse defender Yuji Takahashi and forward Sena Saito will miss this league game due to injuries.3. Shimizu S-Pulse were winless with 2 draws and 3 losses in the last 5 g...
Liverpool table fresh Guehi bidAccording to The Athletic, Liverpool have submitted a fresh bid worth £35 million ($47m) to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. The Reds had earlier seen two bids rejected by the Eagles, but they remain hopeful that this time the offer will be accepted.Fenerbahce eyeing move for EdersonTurkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce are eyeing a move for out-of-favour Manc...
Roma medical for Liverpool fullback TsimikasAS Roma are holding a medical for Kostas Tsimikas today.The Liverpool fullback is leaving Anfield after finding himself third-choice this season behind fellow left-backs Andrew Robertson and Milos Kerkez.La Gazzetta dello Sport says the Greece international is expected in Italy today to finalise his move.Tsimikas will undergo a medical ahead of signing a...
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-FULHAMMarco Silva has demanded an explanation from the Premier League after lambasting three "shocking" refereeing decisions in Fulham's 2-0 Premier League loss at Chelsea.WHAT HAPPENED?The Whites thought they had taken the lead against their west London rivals Chelsea when 18-year-old Josh King coolly slotted past Robert Sanchez. However, the goal was chalked off by referee Rob...
[(Shonan Bellmare) Strength]: 1. Shonan Bellmare are one of the bottom teams in the table, taking 25 points and being in the relegation zone. They are strongly motivated to grab points.[(Shonan Bellmare) Neutral]: 1. Shonan Bellmare drew the last 4 home games, revealing mediocre home performances.[(Shonan Bellmare) Weakness]: 1. Shonan Bellmare lost 1-0 to Fagiano Okayama on the road in the last g...
Manchester United Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Europa League Final 2025Chelsea have completed the signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.WHAT HAPPENED?Garnacho has signed a seven-year contract with the Blues after the two Premier League clubs agreed a deal worth a fixed £40 million fee ($54m) with a 10 per cent sell-on clause, Goal understands. The 21-year-old ha...
Marc Guehi Crystal Palace 2025-26Liverpool have launched a fresh bid for Marc Guehi as they hope that Crystal Palace will finally accept their proposal and agree to sell their star defender before the summer transfer window closes on Monday. The Reds have been linked with a move for the England international throughout the summer and the champions are determined to secure his signature.WHAT HAPPEN...
West Ham United v Lille OSC - Pre-Season FriendlyAston Villa are close to signing West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta on an initial loan with an obligation to buy next summer.WHAT HAPPENED?Villa are on the brink of agreeing a £47 million (€54m/$63m) package for Paqueta which includes a loan fee and add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano. The report also states the 28-year-old has ac...
[(Nagoya Grampus) Strength]: 1. Nagoya Grampus currently have only 28 points and are near the bottom of the league table. To avoid relegation, they need to earn points.[(Nagoya Grampus) Neutral]: 1. Nagoya Grampus' 7 successive games ended with OVER.[(Nagoya Grampus) Weakness]: 1. Nagoya Grampus lost 2-4 to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their last Emperor's Cup game, with poor performance.2. In the lates...
Cody Gakpo Liverpool 2025Premier League champions Liverpool have confirmed that star attacker Cody Gakpo has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract, which has extended his stay at Anfield beyond 2028. The Dutchman who joined the club in January 2023, during the Jurgen Klopp era, has established himself as a regular starter under new boss Arne Slot and has now committed his future to the Reds...
