Wolves suffered heartbreak in a dramatic FA Cup fifth-round clash at the Vitality Stadium, where Bournemouth triumphed in a tense penalty shootout.
The match had it all—VAR controversy, stunning goals, extra-time drama, and a red card for Matheus Cunha, whose moment of madness proved costly.
The Cherries took the lead in the 30th minute when James Hill lofted the ball into Antoine Semenyo’s path.
Though Wolves goalkeeper Sam Johnstone managed to parry the initial shot, Evanilson was on hand to tap in, marking his return from a two-month injury layoff with a crucial goal.
Bournemouth thought they had doubled their advantage soon after when Milos Kerkez bundled in a corner from David Brooks.
However, their celebrations were cut short as VAR officials Timothy Wood and Darren England conducted a lengthy seven-minute review.
Fans voiced their frustration with chants of “embarrassing” as the goal was ultimately disallowed due to Dean Huijsen being offside.
It was the first time semi-automated offside technology had been used in English football, aiming to reduce delays.
However, this particular review proved complex as officials examined both a potential handball and the offside decision, leading to the conventional crosshair method being used instead.
Bournemouth’s misfortune continued when Alex Scott squandered a golden opportunity to score, miscuing a shot onto his own hand with the goal at his mercy. At halftime, the hosts remained ahead, but Wolves were far from finished.
Joao Gomes went close with a half-volley before Wolves found their equalizer just after the hour mark. Cunha was the hero at first, expertly controlling Santiago Bueno’s pass before unleashing a sensational 30-yard strike that swerved past Kepa and into the net.
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola signaled for a VAR check over an earlier challenge on Evanilson, but no review was called.
As the game wore on, Bournemouth pressed for a winner, with Huijsen, Justin Kluivert, and Semenyo all coming close. However, Wolves held firm, taking the match into extra time.
Bournemouth continued their dominance, forcing Johnstone into a series of excellent saves, while defender Toti made a crucial goal-line clearance to deny substitute Daniel Jebbison.
But the match took a dramatic turn in extra time when Cunha lost his composure. After being flagged offside, the Wolves forward became entangled with Kerkez, grabbing him around the neck before appearing to headbutt him.
Referee Sam Barrott wasted no time in showing Cunha a red card. “It’s a full house,” Paul Merson observed on Soccer Saturday. “There’s a kick, a shove, and a headbutt.”
Despite Wolves’ numerical disadvantage, the match went to penalties. Johnstone gave them an early edge by saving Huijsen’s effort, and Matt Doherty had the chance to seal victory for Wolves—but he dragged his shot wide.
Boubacar Traore’s miss off the crossbar then handed Bournemouth an opportunity, and Luis Sinisterra stepped up to fire home the winning penalty.
The roar from the crowd as the ball hit the net underlined what the victory meant to the Cherries.
Having reached the FA Cup quarter-finals for only the third time in their history, Bournemouth’s remarkable season continues.
While securing European qualification through the league remains a priority, Iraola’s team is now just three wins away from silverware. The Spaniard, who previously led Mirandés and Rayo Vallecano to Copa del Rey semi-finals, may just inspire the Cherries to an unprecedented FA Cup run.
