Soccer; it is greater than a recreation. It is a heartbeat of society, it is a means of life and it is a curler coaster of feelings – a heartbreaking curler coaster, generally.
The latter of this stuff has most likely by no means been extra completely exemplified than the later levels of the Watford and Leicester Championship play-offs, the second stage of the semi-final, which was performed at Vicarage Street on 12 Could 2013.
- Advertisement -
The primary stage had arrange the second properly. Leicester hosted their opponents at King Energy Stadium and took a 1-0 lead midway via the tie, courtesy of David Nugent’s 82nd minute strike.
David Nugent celebrates his first stage aim | Clive Mason / Getty Photos
Watford began nicely and broke the impasse via Matej Vydra’s fifteenth minute aim. Nugent equalized 4 minutes later, just for Vydra to get the tie again on equal phrases with their second match within the sixty fifth minute.
2-2 was an thrilling finish to the prize for a take a look at Wembley within the Championship play-offs. Thrilling doesn’t even cowl it.
The horn’s hearts sank to the ground as referee Michael Oliver awarded the foxes a penalty in harm time. Marco Cassetti was unbelievable, in an period earlier than VAR had even considered, was thought of to have condemned Anthony Knockaert, who picked himself up and lined as much as take the spot kick.
However former Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia would write his title in Watford’s folklore together with his subsequent actions. The Spaniard not solely saved Knockaert’s penalty however jumped out once more to stifle the Frenchman’s rebound and scolded for his colleagues to maneuver out when the ball was cleared – heroic stuff when Watford followers celebrated wildly.
Eight years in the past at this time, we skilled some of the dramatic moments in playoff historical past! ?
When Leicester missed a penalty and Watford countered within the 96th minute of the Championship play-off 2nd stage. Johnny Phillips response is humorous ?? pic.twitter.com/0Sdru7VjYR
– Soccer AM (@SoccerAM) Could 12, 2021
However the yellow gamers had been not able to take a breath and get well from what simply occurred, no, no. Gianfranco Zola’s males rapidly obtained the ball below management once more and stepped over the midway line to mount their very own assault. Fernando Forestieri was recorded on the correct flank and managed to dig out a flying cross in opposition to the again put up.
For a cause that nobody within the second half might perceive, Jonathon Hogg selected to place the ball again over the realm quite than go in direction of aim, after which it occurred.
Deeeennneeeyyyyyy.
Licensed * SCENES * #OnThisDay …?
Will Troy Deeney’s playoff strike ever hit? ? pic.twitter.com/TDuXrpZXSV
– Sky Sports activities Premier League (@SkySportsPL) Could 12, 2021
Watford cult hero Troy Deeney was there to hold on to Hogg’s farewell and shoot a half volley into the again of the online with the remaining kick of the recreation, sending his facet to Wembley and his followers to a different dimension. To mint a common phrase, ‘limbs’ flew, particularly when a sea of Hornets followers invaded the pitch.
Even Zola was caught within the second of successful a 96-minute winner, dropping the road to have a good time in his good sneakers earlier than comically slipping throughout the garden.
Within the area of a minute, Watford followers had moved from pure and full heartbeat to cheers and unsurpassed euphoria – and the visiting contingent had skilled the other. It was play-off soccer that you have got by no means seen earlier than, and possibly play-off soccer that you’ll by no means see once more.
It is soccer.
Gianfranco Zola celebrates reaching the championship remaining | Michael Regan / Getty Photos
Watford could have to attend till subsequent season to style promotion and lose to Crystal Palace at Wembley 15 days later. The Hornets had been routinely promoted through the 2013/14 season and loved a five-year keep in the highest flight earlier than their relegation in 2019/20 – despite the fact that their time within the second division was short-lived and bounced straight again.
Leicester have had a a lot sweeter highway since their hearts had been damaged on Vicarage Street. The Foxes had been additionally promoted to high flight subsequent season – to win the championship – and had been famously lifted to the Premier League title two years later. Since then, they’ve established themselves as multi-year challengers to the “high six” and have develop into common opponents for Champions League qualifiers below Brendan Rodgers.
