Crysencio Summerville was Leeds’ hero as his stoppage-time equaliser rescued a dramatic 2-2 draw against gutsy Cardiff.
The Dutchman rifled home low into the corner with seconds remaining as Daniel Farke’s men pocketed a point after being two goals behind at the interval.
The new-look Bluebirds had defended their goal superbly in the second half, but they were thwarted at the death.
It was an impressive season opener for the Welshmen after they ended the last campaign way down in 21st place in the second tier.
With Farke and Erol Bulut both taking charge of their respective teams for the first time, it proved to be a rather cagey opening quarter-of-an-hour.
At that point it was Leeds who burst into life, with Wilfried Gnonto leading the charge.
After seeing a smart effort blocked bravely by Mark McGuinness, the electric Italian then volleyed inches past the upright after meeting Luke Ayling’s knock-down.
It was the Bluebirds who stunned the home faithful after 23 minutes, however, courtesy of one of their debutants.
Josh Bowler – signed on loan from Nottingham Forest during the week – notched at the second attempt from eight yards.
Callum O’Dowda had crossed in from the left, and after Ethan Ampadu blocked an initial strike, Ike Ugbo teed up Bowler and he side-footed home smartly.
The goal was clearly a huge shock for Leeds, but they responded positively.
Summerville fired a free-kick into the wall, before Daniel James charged towards the Cardiff box and blazed disappointingly over the top.
Summerville forced Bluebirds goalkeeper Jak Alnwick into a flying save, before Elland Road was stunned again as the visitors notched a second six minutes before the interval.
Ugbo – another debutant – slid in to poke home Aaron Ramsey’s deflected cross at the far post.
Ramsey – back making his third Bluebirds bow after 12 years away – was proving hugely influential as the visitors were now in firm control.
Three minutes into the second period Leeds were right back in contention when Liam Cooper powerfully headed home Summerville’s out-swinging corner.
With the home fans still on their feet, Gnonto danced through the Cardiff defence before seeing a shot flicked on to the top of the bar by Alnwick.
At the three-quarter point it was all Leeds, with Alnwick superb again when keeping out James’ curling strike.
The Bluebirds were offering precious little as an attacking force, but their defence was standing firm in the face of now consistent Leeds pressure.
They also survived strong penalty appeals when Summerville was sent tumbling under a challenge.
Leeds, however – back in the Championship after three seasons in the top flight – finally got the point they probably deserved when Summerville rifled home after Luis Sinisterra’s initial effort ricocheted into his path.
Southampton 3-1 West Brom (3-1 agg): Saints set up play-off final with Leeds United
Southampton saw off West Brom 3-1 at St Mary's on Friday to set up a Championship play-off final showdown with Leeds United.
Leeds thumped Norwich City 4-0 at Elland Road 24 hours earlier to book their place at Wembley, where Southampton now await on May 26.
The first leg between the Saints and West Brom finished goalless - just like the other semi-final - but the home side's quality told in the end.
Russell Martin's side dominated the first-half possession, with David Brooks going closest to scoring with a shot that hit the outside of the post.
Southampton made the breakthrough via a powerful Will Smallbone finish four minutes into the second half after Gray Diangana lost possession.
Darnell Furlong had a shot helped over by Alex McCarthy, while David Brooks - who assisted the opener - had a strong penalty appeal rejected.
Southampton remained in control, though, and Adam Armstrong scored a second with a shot through Furlong's legs and past Alex Palmer.
Armstrong's second goal arrived from the penalty spot in the 86th minute after Tom Fellows fouled Ryan Manning in the box, rendering Cedric Kipre's late header a mere consolation.
Al-Nassr 1-1 Al-Hilal: Mitrovic scores last-gasp penalty
Aleksandar Mitrovic scored a penalty in the 10th minute of second-half stoppage time as Al-Hilal denied Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr victory in a 1-1 draw.
Mitrovic netted his 27th Saudi Pro League goal of the campaign after Sadio Mane was harshly judged to have fouled Saud Abdulhamid in the area.
Mane stuck out an arm to shield the ball, catching his opponent in the throat, though the contact appeared to have been outside of the box.
Mitrovic made no mistake to keep Al-Hilal's unbeaten campaign going.
The Serbian's spot-kick cancelled out Otavio's first-minute opener, with Ronaldo having set up his compatriot.
Champions Al-Hilal remain 12 points clear of Al-Nassr at the summit of the Pro League standings.
Data Debrief: Ronaldo the provider
Ronaldo leads the scoring charts in Saudi Arabia this season, though he had to settle for an assist on Friday.
That came from the only chance he created, with the 39-year-old limited to 25 touches, though he did have four shots.
Leeds' belief never wavered as Wembley beckons
Ethan Ampadu said Leeds United's players never let their belief waver despite a poor end to their Championship campaign, with a trip to Wembley now coming up.
Leeds will face either Southampton or West Brom in the play-off final on May 26 after thrashing Norwich City 4-0 at Elland Road on Thursday.
The Whites endured a miserable end to their campaign, losing 4-0 at Queens Park Rangers before going down at home to Southampton on the final day, as Ipswich Town claimed automatic promotion behind Leicester City.
But after their emphatic defeat of the Canaries, who they drew with 0-0 in the first leg, Ampadu claimed Leeds never lost their way.
"Towards the end of the season there was a lot of talk about how we were playing, how we weren't on the front foot, how we weren't aggressive or clinical," he told Sky Sports.
"But we always had our belief that on our day, when we are firing, we can be hard for anyone to play against.
"When the front four, five, six play like that, they make the job of us defenders a lot easier.
"Whoever we play in the final it's going to be a hard game but to go in like this, to put in a performance like this, we can take momentum and confidence into it.
"The fans were second to none and we enjoyed their support – now we are going to prepare for the big one."
Georginio Rutter scored one and set up another in the rout, and he put the onus on Leeds to replicate the same level at Wembley.
"It's incredible. Today we go to Wembley," he said.
"We played a good game. I'm happy, everybody is happy. One more game and we will see.
"We played very good. 4-0 is a clean sheet. Today, we were mature. It's a very good performance from the team.
"I want to try my best and help the team. If we play like this [at the final], we have a good chance but we have to play like this."
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