Wolverhampton 2-1 Manchester United: Wolves Pull Huge Upset, Clinch FA Cup Semifinal Berth

Wolverhampton Wanderers pulled a huge, shocking upset in the 2018/19 FA Cup quarterfinals. Thanks to goals from Raul Jimenez and Diogo Jota, the hosts secured a huge 2-1 win that sent the club to the competition’s final four. Marcus Rashford scored Manchester United’s lone goal on stoppage time.

The first half didn’t have many clear scoring chances. However, both sides delivered a back-and-forth half filled with intensity. Despite the fact that both sides struggled to create scoring opportunities, Wolves were the better side in the first 45 minutes. Diogo Jota, in fact, arguably had the best chance to score in the final minutes. Diogo Jota took advantage of an excellent through ball and fired a tremendous shot towards Sergio Romero, but the Argentina international made a stunning save just before the break. The first half ended scoreless, but things would open considerably in the second half.

Raul Jimenez and Joao Moutinho were carrying Wolves in the second half, as Manchester United looked poor and outmatched on both ends of the pitch. The Mexican had the best chance to score with a diving header nine minutes into the second half, but Romero was magnificent once again to deny the former Club America star. Moutinho then attempted a shot from the edge of the box, but his effort was brilliantly stopped by Romero. At that point, the former Sampdoria goalkeeper was United’s best player since the attack couldn’t pose a threat. Eventually, the Wolves would break the deadlock in the 70th minute thanks to Jimenez.

Jimenez and Jota send Wolves to the next round

Following a low cross from the left wing and a series of rebounds, Jimenez found himself at the right place and at the right time to sneak the ball past Romero and put Wolves up by one. Molineux’s fans were cheering crazy and only needed six more minutes to double their lead. This time, Diogo Jota placed a shot into the bottom left corner out of Romero’s reach following a nice assist. Up by two, the Wolves didn’t have problems to close the game out. This was because Manchester United didn’t threaten the opposing defence at all. Things could’ve been worse since Victor Lindelof was sent off when United was down by two. However, a further review of the play on the VAR resulted in “only” a yellow card for the strong centre-back.

The Red Devils pulled one back on stoppage time when Marcus Rashford scored on stoppage time following a pass from Luke Shaw. But it wasn’t enough. Rashford’s goal came way too late, and the Wolves closed things out to secure a solid 2-1 win. It was the first time the Wolves reached the FA Cup quarterfinals since 1998. But it was also a huge, deserved win for Wolverhampton. And the Molineux club supporters couldn’t be more proud given how the game happened.

Match Report

Wolverhampton: Ruddy (5); Saiss (6), Coady (6), Boly (5); Doherty (6), Dendoncker (7), Ruben Neves (7), Joao Moutinho (8), Jonny (6); Jimenez (8) (Helder Costa (-), 90+5′), Diogo Jota (7) (Traore (-), 87′)

Bench: Norris (GK), Bennett, Gibbs-White, Vinagre, Cavaleiro

Manchester United: Romero (6); Dalot (5), Smalling (6), Lindelöf (4), Shaw (6); Herrera (5) (Andreas (5), 71′), Matic (5) (Mata (-), 86′), Pogba (6); Lingard (4) (McTominay (-), 86′); Rashford (6), Martial (5)

Bench: De Gea (GK), Rojo, Jones, Fred

Goals: Jimenez (1-0, 70′), Diogo Jota (2-0, 76′), Rashford (2-1, 90+5′)

Referee: Martin Atkinson (ENG)

Yellow cards: Boly, Neves, Coady (WOL); Matic, Rashford, Herrera, Lindelöf, Dalot (MU)

Red cards: None