The FA Cup match between Stoke City and Cardiff City was an unforgettable spectacle, finishing 5-7 after a thrilling series of events including an intense penalty shootout. From the onset, Cardiff seized the initiative with an early 1-2 goal lead by the 19th minute, exploiting Stoke City's slow defensive adjustments and highlighting their own sharp attacking precision. This early lead set the tone, pushing Stoke onto the back foot and forcing them to regroup quickly.

Stoke City's resilience came to the fore as they managed to level the score at 3-3 by the end of regular time. Notably, their comeback was largely due to capitalizing on set-piece opportunities, evidenced by their superior number of corner kicks—double that of Cardiff with 8 to Cardiff's 4. This set-piece advantage typified their ability to create attacking threats through structured play. Their discipline in staying mostly onside, with just two offsides compared to Cardiff's one, also contributed to maintaining their attacking momentum.

In terms of discipline, Cardiff's accumulation of three yellow cards—one of which occurred in overtime—suggested a degree of tactical aggression that was crucial in disrupting Stoke's flow in crucial periods. Yet, this aggression did not translate into conceding fouls that led to dangerous set-pieces in critical areas. Stoke, on the other hand, maintained a more disciplined approach, with only a single yellow card to their name, suggesting more controlled play under pressure.

Overall, the match evidenced Cardiff's initial superior tactical execution contrasted by Stoke City's tenacity and strategic use of set-pieces to swing momentum. Ultimately, the match's deciding phase in the penalties underscored the razor-thin margins in football, with Cardiff eking out a win. Stoke's spirited fightback from an early deficit was remarkable, yet Cardiff's edge in initial precision and psychological resilience through yellow card management proved decisive.

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