Wolves 3 (Semedo 36, Fraser 72, Cunha 105) Brentford 2 (Collins 13, Mapuay 52)
Matheus Cunha fired home from the penalty spot to set up a Black Country derby with West Bromwich Albion, shading a five-goal FA Cup classic Wolves’ way against Brentford.
Behind to a goal from Nathan Collins on his return to Molineux, Wolves responded before the interval as Nelson Semedo turned home Cunha’s cross at the second time of asking.
The Bees regained the advantage swiftly after the break when Neal Maupay swept home, only to see the offside momentarily deny him, but after a lengthy VAR check, the goal was given. Next up was academy graduate Nathan Fraser, and what a moment, as he drilled home to take the cup tie to extra time.
The decisive goal arrived at the end of the first additional 15 minutes. Pedro Neto, lively again off the bench, was tripped in the area and Cunha showed composure to fire home the winner and set up a hotly anticipated trip across the West Midlands the weekend after next.
Much of the early possession belonged to the hosts, patiently trying to break down Brentford, who they were facing for the third time in 21 days, but Pablo Sarabia’s shot from distance, which was easily collected by Thomas Strakosha, was all they had to show in terms of attempts on goal.
Instead, the visitors took the initiative when Kristoffer Ajer’s shot was saved by Jose Sa and former Old Gold defender Collins turned home at the back post. VAR momentarily checked for an offside in the build up, but the decision was that the goal would stand.
Cunha tried for the instant response, shooting at Strakosha from distance. Then, on half hour, the Brazilian got to the byline and cut back for Semedo, whose effort was cleared off the line on the stretch, but the loose ball fell for Sarabia to turn in on his left foot, and the Spaniard fired into the side netting with the goal gaping.
However, six minutes later Wolves were back on level terms. Cunha was again creating Wolves’ best chances, and his clipped cross was met by the deep run from Semedo, whose first effort was parried by the goalkeeper, but the Portuguese had followed up perfectly to turn the loose ball into the empty net to restore parity before the break.
Half-time | Wolves 1-1 Brentford
While Wolves ended the half well, the started the second poorly. Keane Lewis-Potter’s ball into the Wolves box wasn’t cleared, and Maupay found space to rifle into the roof of the net. The offside flag initially denied the Bees striker, but after a lengthy VAR check, the goal was given and Brentford were back in front.
That goal left Molineux flat, and Tommy Doyle twice had a bite of the cherry from the edge of the box but couldn’t force a second equaliser. Instead, that honour was left to a local lad. Cunha did brilliantly to craft the opportunity on the edge of the box and he slipped the ball to Fraser, who showed composure to drill the ball back across the goalkeeper and into the bottom corner. The tie was alive again.
Wolves were in the ascendency now and Cunha again found Fraser in space, with the goal gaping, but somehow Strakosha stuck out a leg to turn the effort behind for a corner. Santiago Bueno then had a volley turned over the crossbar by the goalkeeper, Pablo Sarabia curled over and Semedo shot wide, after appeals for a penalty on substitute Neto were turned away.
Full-time | Wolves 2-2 Brentford
The intensity Wolves finished the 90 with was always going to be difficult to maintain, and they were let off the hook when Shandon Baptiste ghosted into the Old Gold box and watched an effort with the outside of his foot come back off Sa’s post.
Wolves’ first opening of the next 15 came when Hugo Bueno fizzed a ball into Cunha and his control was exemplary, but the snapshot was met by a fingertip save from Strakosha. However, on the stroke of the third break of the tie, Wolves went ahead for the first time. Neto was tripped inside the box and penalty was the decision. Despite a long VAR wait, Cunha kept his focus and fired home from the penalty spot.
Extra-time half-time | Wolves 3-2 Brentford
The Bees, naturally, came on strong from that point and Wolves were grateful to see Sa cling on to Michael Olakigbe’s shot, while the nerves were going when VAR checked to ensure a second Collins goal was indeed offside.
The final moments were tough to watch for the Old Gold faithful, with crosses coming into the box, but each one was dealt with. The final whistle drew a close to an enthralling cup tie and Wolves were through. What an effort.
Extra-time full-time | Wolves 3-2 Brentford
Wolves | Sa, Semedo, Kilman, S Bueno, Toti, Doherty (Neto 57), Hodge (Lemina 70), Doyle, Bellegarde (Fraser 70), Sarabia, Cunha (Dawson 109).
Unused subs | Bentley, Mosquera, H Bueno, Chirewa, Griffiths.
Brentford | Strakosha, Maupay, Jensen (Yarmoliuk 90), Dasilva (Peart-Harris 62), Mee, Ajer (Zanka 62), Collins, Lewis-Potter (Olakigbe 99), Damsgaard (Baptiste 61), Janelt, Roerslev.
Unused subs | Flekken, Goode, Brierley, Fredrick.
