Raul Jimenez doubled Wolves’ lead with a sensational strike on the volley but substitute Gerard Deulofeu pulled one back with 12 minutes to go and then in stoppage time Watford equalised from the penalty spot via Troy Deeney.
Deulofeu struck again in extra-time to complete Watford’s comeback and break Wolves hearts.
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You’d have to be pretty sadistic to conjure up a crueller way to lose a football match.
Wolves were 180 seconds from reaching their first FA Cup final in 59 years, reports shropshirestar.com.
A hoof into the stands, a run into the corner, anything, and they’d have been there.
Instead Watford won a penalty when Leander Dendoncker tripped Troy Deeney inside the Wolves box. Deeney did the rest and in extra-time Gerard Deulofeu won it to smash Wolves hearts into smithereens.
So much of football is about momentum and confidence. Wolves were cruising at 2-0 up. They looked the more likely goal scorers, but gradually began to sit deeper and Watford hammered them for 15 minutes.
The tide swung Watford way and Wolves couldn’t swim against it. Their FA Cup fairytale turned into a horrifying nightmare.
It’ll take a long time to get over this. They were on the brink of history, of greatness, of immortality.
There were no villains, no poor performers – they gave absolutely everything to reach the final but Watford took their momentum and ran with it. Wolves just had no answer.
It’s been an unforgettable season and a magical FA Cup run, but to the long list of semi-final heartaches this club has suffered – 1973, 1979, 1981 and 1988 – you can add 2019.
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