Sunderland will play in the Championship play-off final after an extra-time goal from Dan Ballard secured a dramatic victory over Coventry City.
After entering extra-time with the aggregate score tied at 1-1, and the game heading to a penalty shootout, Ballard’s 122nd-minute header earned Sunderland a 1-1 draw on the night, and a 2-1 victory on aggregate.
They will meet Sheffield United in the Championship play-off final at Wembley on May 24, where the winner will earn promotion to the Premier League.
There are no words for this moment. pic.twitter.com/lFjWrNO2R6
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) May 13, 2025
Sunderland beat Coventry in the first leg, with striker Eliezer Mayenda capitalizing on a Milan van Ewijk mistake late on to secure the 2-1 victory for the away side.
A 76th-minute goal from Ephron Mason-Clark was enough to level the tie in the second leg and send the game to extra time.
It looked as if neither side would be able to find a winner in extra time with substitute Romaine Mundle coming closest with a low driven shot, forcing a save from Coventry goalkeeper Ben Wilson.
However, Sunderland won a corner in stoppage time of the second half of extra time, and Ballard found some space in the penalty area and headed the ball in off the crossbar.
Ballard, a standout in both legs, told Sky Sports after his late goal that his goal is what “dreams are made of.”
The former Arsenal youth academy player said: “It’s what dreams are made of, really. The fans today were absolutely incredible. It was just feeling like it wasn’t going to be our day, and all the lads were desperate to try and give them something to celebrate.
“What a dramatic finale and stuff dreams are made of. I was just so determined. I can’t remember what happened, it just happened like that. Some feeling that.”
Sheffield United booked their place in the final after their 3-0 semi-final second-leg victory over Bristol City on Monday.
(Photo: George Wood/Getty Images)