Photo: OLI SCARFF/AFP
Samoa have reached their first-ever Rugby League World Cup semi-final after edging a pulsating encounter against Tonga on Monday morning.
The 20-18 victory sets up a tantalising last four match against England at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium on Saturday local time.
Tries from Jaydn Su'a and Jarome Luai gave Toa Samoa a slender half-time lead, with Daniel Tupou and Siosiua Taukeiaho crossing for Kristian Woolf's side.
Brian To'o's converted try secured the win, despite Sione Katoa's late effort for Tonga ensuring a grandstand finish.
Defending champions Australia will face New Zealand in Friday's first semi-final in Leeds.
This hotly-anticipated fourth quarter-final between the two Pacific Island nations did not disappoint.
Samoa settled quickest, Su'a scoring within five minutes and Luai darted past three players for his side's second try after Tupou had responded for Tonga by expertly grounding a looping pass from St Helens full-back Will Hopoate.
At that stage, the slick Samoans were threatening to cut loose, with only some magnificent last-ditch tackles preventing them from establishing a commanding lead.
Having weathered a considerable Samoan storm, Tonga capitalised on repeat sets when Soni Luke's deft grubber was grounded by Siosiua Taukeiaho.
And the momentum appeared to have swung in Tonga's favour when Isaiya Katoa levelled the match at 12-12 with 30 minutes remaining.
However, Joseph Suaali'i's exceptional carry laid the platform for To'o's decisive try.
Samoa's gripping victory means they can look forward to their first World Cup semi-final, and the opportunity to atone for their embarrassing 60-6 defeat by England in the tournament opener.
'It was a sensational game'
"There wasn't much between either team. It was just tenacious defence at the end. Tonga threw everything at us," Samoa head coach Matt Parish told BBC Sport.
"I said to the players they had the chance to make history at half-time and reach the semi-finals for the first time. But I didn't say much. They knew what to do. Our full-back Joey [Joseph Suaali'i] at 19, to play like that... you talk about bruising encounter, it was a sensational game.
"I haven't thought about the semi-final yet. I will enjoy this and think about it tomorrow. To have the support around Tonga and Samoa and Australia and New Zealand here in England is absolutely sensational. I hope we can go to the final."
Tonga head coach Kristian Woolf said Samoa were a little bit better than his side.
"They beat us to the punch early and they were probably a bit better than us in defence. We had the chance to win it. We didn't quite make it happen, but it was disappointing.
"We had enough opportunities at the end to win the game. We kicked the ball away when we had tackles in hand. That's something we have to learn."
Fiji battle hard but fall short against the Kiwis
New Zealand came from behind to beat Fiji in a thriller in Hull.
The Kiwis recovered from 18-6 down to reach the last four thanks to Jordan Rapana's decisive late penalty and try.
Ronaldo Mulitalo, Briton Nikora and Joseph Manu also crossed for the Kiwis.
Maika Sivo and two scores from an inspired Kevin Naiqama were almost enough for Fiji.
The result avenged New Zealand's quarter-final defeat by the Fijians at the 2017 World Cup in Wellington.
Fiji raced into a 12-0 lead after scores from Sivo and Naiqama before New Zealand hit back through a Mulitalo try just before the break.
Naiqama crossed again straight after the restart to put Fiji 18-6 up, but in a tense second half, Nikora and Manu scored tries to level the match with 18 minutes to go.
Rapana then kicked New Zealand into a 20-18 lead nine minutes from time before he went over in the corner in the closing stages to send the Kiwis into the last four.
New Zealand face Australia - which easily defeated Lebanon in its quarter-final, in Leeds on Friday local time for a spot in the final.
In the first quarter-final England defeated Papua New Guinea 46-6.
Joseph Manu of New Zealand attempts to break through against Fiji Photo: PHOTOSPORT
- BBC
