Gerard Deulofeu delivered a sensational display after coming on as substitute to inspire Watford’s dramatic comeback from two goals down to beat Wolverhampton Wanderers after extra time in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.

With 11 minutes left, Wolves looked on course for their first FA Cup final since 1960 as they led through Matt Doherty’s first-header and Raul Jimenez’s superb chest down and volleyed finish.

Deulofeu, the maverick talent who had never quite fulfilled his potential at Barcelona, Everton and AC Milan, was sent on to rescue Watford after that second goal and fulfilled his mission in spectacular style.

He produced an audacious angled flick to give Watford hope and they drew level in injury time as captain Troy Deeney drilled home from the penalty spot after he had been fouled by Leander Dendoncker.

Deulofeu, however, was the catalyst and he showed composure and quality to provide the decisive contribution, steering a finish beyond John Ruddy in the 104th minute to send Watford to their first FA Cup final since 1984; they will meet Manchester City on 18 May.

Deulofeu lights Watford fuse

Watford, to their eternal credit, never lost hope for one minute of this thrilling FA Cup semi-final even when Wolves looked to have victory in their grasp with a two-goal lead.

They had created chances but needed a spark to give meaning to all their good work – and it was the 25-year-old Spain international Deulofeu who provided it.

Deulofeu was regarded as a teenage superstar in the making at Barcelona but could not deliver in a second spell at the Nou Camp after a fine season on loan at Everton.

He produced occasional flashes of brilliance when he returned to Goodison Park but fell short and made his way to Vicarage Road to have another crack at the Premier League.

Under the careful guidance of manager Javi Gracia, he has hinted at greater consistency – but this was his finest hour in England.

Inevitably, Watford’s captain and leader Deeney also made his mark, winning a penalty then showing great nerve to lash his spot-kick past Ruddy.

Watford’s fans were a mixture of sheer elation and disbelief – and can now start plotting their return for the FA Cup final.

This was a performance of heart, quality and flashes of brilliance. They were deserved winners.

Wolves left heartbroken

Wolves and their manager Nuno Espirito Santo will be pondering for a very long time how this got away from them – it was heartbreaking for him, his players and the vast old gold following inside Wembley.

They had victory in the palm of their hand but subsided under the late surge of pressure from Watford, fuelled by the brilliance of Deulofeu.

Nuno had taken off the influential Ruben Neves and Diogo Jota late on to try to shore up the victory, a move perhaps understandable at the time but one that left them robbed of their talents during extra-time.

Wolves were flagging and had nothing left to give in this pulsating, magnificent match and all the hard work done in the earlier rounds – when Liverpool and Manchester United were beaten at Molineux – was taken away from them.

They came into this game on the back of six straight wins but defeat came in the most painful of circumstances.

‘It happens if you believe’ – reaction

Watford manager Javi Gracia, speaking to BBC Sport: “It was very tough. We started playing, working after [the FA Cup win over] Newcastle, after QPR, after Crystal Palace and now after Wolves. Everything was lost – we were able to show our character and at this moment I am very proud of my players.

“You always believe you can score one goal because in all the games this season we have always competed until the end. It wasn’t different today. We tried until the end and sometimes it happens if you believe. Today we showed our strength as a squad, our belief. I am very proud.”

Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo, speaking to BBC Sport: “It was an emotional game. We had it, and it got away from us. It was a sad moment, we cannot hide it. Now it is disappointment and sadness.

“When it comes to four minutes of injury time, we should have possession of the ball. We couldn’t handle that and we got punished. We are disappointed. This is football, we must stand again, we have things to fight for, but I am very proud.

“I honestly think we should have done better in the last moments of the game.”

Man of the match – Gerard Deulofeu (Watford)

Ending a bad streak – the best of the stats

• Watford have qualified for the FA Cup final for just the second time in their history, having last done so in 1984.
• It was the first time they won at Wembley since May 1999 (2-0 v Bolton in the second tier play-off final) – they had lost five of their six games in all competitions at the venue before beating Wolves.
• Since beating Aston Villa in the 1960 FA Cup semi-final, Wolves have been eliminated on each of their past five appearances at this stage of the tournament (1973, 1979, 1981, 1998 and 2019).
• Watford have won 19 games in all competitions this season; their most as a top-flight club in a single campaign since 1986-87 (23).
• Deulofeu is the seventh player to score two in an FA Cup semi-final, and the first since Willian for Chelsea in April 2017 (v Spurs).
• Deeney has scored in both of his FA Cup semi-final appearances – previously doing so against Crystal Palace in April 2016.
• Wolves’ Doherty scored his fourth goal in the FA Cup this season – only Newport striker Padraig Among (five) has netted more in the competition in 2018-19.
• Jota has been directly involved in 37 goals for Wolves (26 goals and 11 assists), the most of any player since his debut in August 2017.

What’s next?

Wolves hope to regain seventh spot in the Premier League when they travel to Southampton on Saturday, 13 April (15:00 BST); Watford host Arsenal on Monday, 15 April (20:00).