After all the spies, subterfuge and pretend binoculars came the eye of the Tigers. One sucker punch from Oli McBurnie in the fifth minute of added time and Hull City are on their way back to the Premier League.
This time there is no way back for Middlesbrough. They can pick up their feud with Southampton in the Championship next season.
The reprieve was brief and their Wembley curse goes on. They have never won here and this was the sixth attempt.
And there is no nice way to lose a play-off final but this came in heart-breaking style with the game seemingly destined for extra time when McBurnie pounced for his 19th goal of the season.
Hull substitute Yu Hirakawa skipped past Callum Brittain and fired a cross at chest height. Boro keeper Sol Brynn dived to intercept but only pushed it down into the danger area.
It was a predatory finish by McBurnie, the first to react. He swept the ball in from close range and tore off his shirt in celebration.
Hull City celebrated earning promotion back to the Premier League by beating Middlesbrough at Wembley
Oli McBurnie’s late winning goal saw the Tigers secure promotion back to the top flight
McBurnie struck in the fifth minute of stoppage time after Sol Brynn could only push the ball into the box
The £200million Premier League jackpot is bound for Hull and their owner Acun Ilicali, having vowed to fight defeat through the courts, descended into tears at the final whistle.
Maybe a realisation of the money he can save in legal fees.
It has been a remarkable 12 months for Ilicali and the East Yorkshire club. A year ago, they survived in the Championship on goal difference and were hit with a transfer embargo for late payments on fees.
They were written off but have been in the promotion picture all season with Sergej Jakirovic, a former Bosnia Herzegovina centre half, forging an effective team.
Strong and pragmatic, which turned out to be the right strategy for an intense final on a sweltering day at the end of a gruelling season.
Boro dominated the opening half in terms of possession and yet the three best efforts came from Hull. First, a header by Lewie Coyle from a deep Liam Millar cross, which Sol Brynn pushed wide without too much trouble.
There was 30-yard curler from the left foot of Mohamed Belloumi which was not too far wide and a header against the bar by McBurnie, who won a tussle with Adilson Malanda to reach a fine cross from the left by Ryan Giles.
Here was the shape of the game. Boro on the ball, passing and probing, with central defenders stepping out to force overloads. Hull deep with ranks massed to smother any sharp one-twos and block crosses, seeking to strike quickly on the counterattack.
Hull fans celebrate as their club earned promotion to the top flight for the third time through the play-offs
Hull City head coach Sergej Jakirovic lifts the Championship play-off trophy aloft post-match
Middlesbrough goalkeeper Sol Brynn appeared disconsolate after his error proved costly
Once up the pitch, their quality delivery from wide areas and the aerial threat of McBurnie gave them a chance.
Boro’s best effort of the first half came in the third minute of stoppage time during Hull’s best spell, breaking quickly to Morgan Whittaker and David Strelec, who dragged his low drive a yard wide from just outside the penalty box.
Hellberg’s team returned with more purpose after the interval. Straight from kick off, Hull went back to goalkeeper Ivor Pandur and Strelec charged down his kick. Pandur was relieved to see it rebound wide of his goal.
Dael Fry went close with header over from a corner before Hull stabilised again, and a hot day at the end of a long season played its part. The second half was disrupted by stoppages for treatment. Tired players stretched muscles in every break in play and the managers rolled through their changes.
Hayden Hackney came on in the 70th minute to terrific ovation from the Boro fans. Hellberg hails him as the Championship’s best player, plenty of others would agree but he has been out since an injury in mid March.
Middlesbrough had appeared in the final after Southampton were expelled over the Spygate scandal, but failed to secure promotion
Hull City owner Acun Ilcal had threatened to take legal action if his side failed to secure promotion, but can now celebrate a £200m promotion jackpot
Middlesbrough fans react after Hull’s late winner ended their Premier League hopes
Hackney replaced Strelec but no sooner was he on than Riley McGree was struck down with what seemed like a hamstring injury, concerning for the Australia international less than a month before the World Cup.
Sontje Hansen came on and forced a wonderful save from Pandur but the flag was up for offside.
Hull wing-back Giles was another casualty forced off in the second half after tweaking a muscle.
Extra time beckoned when Hirakawa skipped past Brittain and McBurnie scored. Hull are on their way back to the big time.
