Wolves 2-2 Blackburn: Jimenez Penalty Saves Hosts in Championship Opener

Raul Jimenez converted a penalty in stoppage time, preventing Blackburn from securing a dramatic opening-night victory. Wolves were held to a 2-2 draw in their first Championship match in eight years at Molineux.

The result was not the decisive statement the Wolves side, managed by Cesar Peixoto, had hoped for, despite an expectant atmosphere at the stadium and a strong start from the hosts.

Their return to the second tier, following a disappointing Premier League season where they earned only 20 points, was anticipated to mark the beginning of an immediate promotion campaign.

Wolves took the lead in the 18th minute when Marshall Munetsi, advancing from a deeper position, received a well-placed through ball from Fer Lopez and fired a left-footed shot past goalkeeper Balazs Toth.

However, Blackburn had other plans. Tony Mowbray's team, who narrowly avoided relegation from the Championship last season, bolstered their midfield with the addition of Sam Morsy and demonstrated the resilience that kept them in the division.

Sean McLoughlin equalized in the 27th minute. He rose to meet Ryoya Morishita's cross from the right, which originated from a corner, and headed the ball into the net.

Blackburn Stun Molineux

The visitors then achieved what few predicted before the match: they took the lead. Three minutes into the second half, Oladapo Afolayan drove towards the Wolves defense and passed to Andri Gudjohnsen, who calmly slotted a left-footed finish into the bottom corner.

Wolves began to chase the game with increasing urgency. Munetsi tested the opposing goalkeeper with a long-range effort, Tommy Doyle missed a golden opportunity by lifting the ball over the bar when it seemed easier to score, and Kierian Trippier repeatedly attacked down the right flank without delivering a decisive ball.

Mateus Mane was cautioned for simulation in the 52nd minute and substituted on the hour mark, with Jimenez coming on in his place.

The presence of the Mexican striker provided the necessary impetus, though perhaps not in the way Peixoto might have envisioned.

Deep into added time, Ryan Alebiosu blocked a low cross, and the referee awarded a penalty after the ball struck his outstretched arm.

Jimenez, composed on his first competitive appearance of the season, converted the penalty to secure a point for Wolves and avert defeat.

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English Translation

Wolves 2-2 Blackburn: Report, Result, and Goals as Late Jimenez Penalty Saves Hosts' Blushes in Championship Opener

Raul Jimenez stepped up to convert a stoppage-time penalty, denying Blackburn a stunning opening-night win as Wolves were held to a 2-2 draw in their first Championship fixture in eight years at Molineux on Friday night.

The result was not the statement Cesar Peixoto’s side needed on a night when the stadium crackled with expectation and Wolves made the brighter start.

Their return to the second tier after a miserable relegation season in which they collected just 20 Premier League points was supposed to be the beginning of an immediate bounce-back campaign.

Peixoto’s side went ahead in the 18th minute when Marshall Munetsi arrived from deep, collected a clever through ball from Fer Lopez, and drove a left-footed strike past Balazs Toth.

Blackburn had other ideas. Tony Mowbray’s side, who narrowly avoided Championship relegation last season, have added quality in Sam Morsy to their midfield and showed the resilience that kept them up.

Sean McLoughlin leveled in the 27th minute, rising to meet Ryoya Morishita’s cross from the right following a corner and sending his header into the net.

Blackburn Stun Molineux

The visitors then did something few would have predicted before kick-off: they took the lead. Three minutes into the second half, Oladapo Afolayan drove at the Wolves backline and squared for Andri Gudjohnsen, who swept a composed left-footed finish into the bottom corner.

Wolves chased the game in increasingly frantic fashion. Munetsi forced a save from range, Tommy Doyle lifted a gilt-edged chance over the bar when it seemed easier to score, and Kierian Trippier probed repeatedly down the right without finding the right ball.

Mateus Mane was shown a yellow card for simulation in the 52nd minute and hauled off at the hour mark, replaced by Jimenez.

The Mexican’s presence proved to be the needed boost, if not in the manner Peixoto might have scripted.

With the clock deep into added time, Ryan Alebiosu stretched to block a low cross, and the referee pointed to the spot after the ball struck his outstretched arm.

Jimenez, ice-cold on his first competitive outing of the season, dispatched the penalty to earn Wolves a point and spare their blushes.