Wright was 8-5 down and was seemingly on his way out against the impressive Portuguese ace; but he took his glasses off and produced some of his best darts winning 10-8 with a 99 average and five 180's.

To begin the tie, Wright claimed the break of throw in the first leg; but only after De Sousa did all the hard work in missing 144 on double 12 to hold.

De Sousa though was first to a finish in the next leg on 120 which he didn't get a shot at and Wright left himself 66; but he couldn't pin it so 'The Special One' got another opportunity which he didn't spurn to make it 1-1.

He kicked off the next leg on his throw with a 180 and he got himself down to 161 which he took out in phenomenal fashion to make it 2-1. Wright was on 85 on his throw, De Sousa though asked the question leaving 118 which he couldn't find the treble for.

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The World Champion as a result hit 25 to make it 2-2 and continue parity. It was the same story as his last leg on throw for De Sousa; as he started with a 180 and he left 96 which he set up to leave 32 with Wright well back and as a result at the first break, it was the in-form debutant who led 3-2.

He began to stamp his authority on proceedings by making it 5-3 and he held to make it 6-3 but only after Wright missed two darts to break off a 65 checkout.

His lead stood at 6-4 at the break with Wright producing a crucial 86 checkout to close the gap. De Sousa was under pressure with Wright on 71 to break and he pinned a 101 checkout to go three legs away.

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'Snakebite' had a vital hold of throw with a 90 checkout but despite a poor leg by De Sousa's standards, he went within two after Wright couldn't pin double 16 off a 106 checkout.

He removed his glasses in a last gasp effort to save the match and he took out 80 to hold and trail 8-6. It seemed to work with a vital break of throw in the form of a 144 to make it 8-7.

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Parity was there with a 61 checkout to make it 8-8. It was all on De Sousa from here to hold and go one away. He missed darts to hold and Wright broke again to go ahead and one away.

Wright missed double 20 by the width of a wire to claim victory but De Sousa hit one when going for 49 and the former wasn't going to be denied another opportunity.

Click here for more information about the World Matchplay, including the tournament bracket, TV coverage and prize money breakdown.

Mensur Suljovic (100.35) 12-10 (101.13) Jamie Hughes
Glen Durrant (107.29) 10-3 (96.71) Jeffrey de Zwaan
Rob Cross (94.4) 8-10 (89.38) Gabriel Clemens
Peter Wright (98.94) 10-8 (96.21) Jose de Sousa
Michael Smith v Jonny Clayton

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