Just when it seemed as if there was nothing else which this compelling match could produce to shock or thrill, Ryan Giggs scored a simply wondrous extra-time winner to keep Manchester United's dreams of the treble firmly on course.
By the time that Giggs's 108th minute strike finally settled a titanic FA Cup semi-final replay against Arsenal last night, the crowd, never mind the players, were exhausted by a breathtaking spectacle which surpassed even the highest expectations.
A quality strike from David Beckham was followed by a deflected equaliser by Dennis Bergkamp, an effort by Nicolas Anelka which was narrowly ruled out for offside, a sending-off for Roy Keane and even a penalty save by Peter Schmeichel deep into injury-time.
But as 10-man United attempted to hold on for penalties in extra-time, Giggs intercepted a wayward pass from Patrick Vieira 10 yards within his own half.
The substitute's burst of speed took him clear of any immediate pursuers before he rounded Vieira, then Overmars, then Lee Dixon and Overmars together, before smashing an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net from the tightest of angles.
It secured United's place back at Wembley against Newcastle and ended Arsenal's chances of retaining the Double - all with four changes having been made to their starting line-up.
Manager Alex Ferguson reacted to his side's growing fixture pileup, with possibly 11 games in the next 42 days, by leaving out both Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke from the side, while even Giggs was on the bench at the start.
The most surprising inclusion was that of former Tottenham striker Teddy Sheringham for only his seventh start of the season and his first since St Stephen's Day. However, Ferguson's decision was fully vindicated for within 18 minutes of the kick-off, Sheringham, whose movement was exemplary throughout the first-half, had set up Beckham for an opening goal of pure quality. Beckham had played the ball into Sheringham's feet on the counterattack, received it back in acres of space and struck a right-footed shot from 22 yards almost like a free-kick which curled unerringly into the far corner.
In the second half, the match seemed to be slipping inexorably beyond Arsenal's reach as even when Anelka finally had a clear sight of goal, he miscued his shot terribly.
Cue Bergkamp.
The Dutchman embarked on a looping run 25 yards out and shot towards goal to be aided by a huge slice of fortune as the ball took a sizeable deflection off Stam and curled into the far corner of the net.
The match then exploded into bedlam as first Arsenal celebrated a winner from Anelka as he capitalised on Schmeichel fumbling a shot from Bergkamp - only for referee David Elleray to spot the raised linesman's flag.
Then Keane, who had earlier fouled Bergkamp, was shown his second yellow card for a scything late tackle on Marc Overmars with 17 minutes left.
United were inevitably being stretched by Arsenal's fresher, more numerous legs and Phil Neville's tired tackle on Ray Parlour as the midfielder burst into the penalty area inevitably led to the spot-kick almost two minutes into injury-time.
Bergkamp stroked the ball just inside the post only to be denied by a world-class save by Schmeichel. And so, for the second time in four days, to extra-time. On came Kanu as Arsenal went in search of victory only to be denied by Giggs's spectacular late solo effort.
Arsenal: Seaman, Dixon, Winterburn, Vieira, Adams, Ljungberg (Overmars 62), Anelka, Bergkamp, Keown, Parlour (Kanu 105), Petit (Bould 119). Subs Not Used: Vivas, Lukic. Booked: Keown, Parlour. Goals: Bergkamp 69.
Man Utd: Schmeichel, G Neville, P Neville, Johnsen, Stam, Beckham, Butt, Keane, Blomqvist (Giggs 61), Solskjaer (Yorke 91), Sheringham (Scholes 76). Subs Not Used: Van Der Gouw, Irwin. Sent Off: Keane (74). Booked: Stam, Keane, Beckham. Goals: Beckham 17, Giggs 109.
Referee: D Elleray (Harrow-on-the-Hill).
