MX23RW : Saturday, August 22 07:20:31| >> :600:120856:120856:
Nov 28, 2019 at 5.55pm UK at Estádio Municipal de Braga (Braga)
Attendance: 12,058
Braga
3-3
WolvesWolverhampton Wanderers
Horta (6'), Paulinho (64'), Fransergio (79')
FT(HT: 1-3)
Jimenez (14'), Doherty (34'), Traore (35')

Result: Wolves book Europa League knockout spot despite second-half collapse

Result: Wolves book Europa League knockout spot despite second-half collapse
© Reuters
Wolves reached the Europa League knockout stages after a 3-3 draw in Portugal.

Wolves reached the Europa League knockout stages with a game to spare despite blowing a two-goal lead in Braga.

Nuno Espirito Santo's side suffered a second-half stumble to draw 3-3 in Portugal.

Raul Jimenez, Matt Doherty and Adama Traore had fired the visitors into a 3-1 lead after Andre Horta's early opener.

But second-half goals from Paulinho and captain Fransergio rescued Braga to also send them into the last 32.

They remain top of Group K, a point ahead of Wolves, ahead of the final matches on December 12.

Thursday also allowed Wolves to briefly forget any speculation linking boss Nuno to Arsenal but early qualification only served to enhance his reputation.

His side have lost just once in their last 14 games in all competitions and sit fifth in the Premier League with their European campaign extended with a game, against Besiktas, to spare.

Both sides needed just a point needed to reach the last 32 but Braga laid the first claim for all three after six minutes.

Even then, the opener came from nothing when Andre Horta collected the ball 30 yards out.

His drive deflected off Ruben Neves' boot to fly past the helpless Rui Patricio for the winger's first goal since August.

Wolves, though, responded just eight minutes later to equalise.

The visitors had endured a quiet start but Jonny was afforded too much space on the left to float a perfect cross to the far post for Jimenez to net his 15th goal of the season.

Wolves were unchanged from their 2-1 win at Bournemouth and their strength became apparent as they took control once level.

Traore's drilled cross just evaded Diogo Jota's outstretched leg before Jota dragged an angled drive across goal.

Braga, the 2011 beaten finalists, quickly retreated and Wolves punished them with a quickfire double.

First, Doherty ran unchecked into the area to plant a fine header past the exposed Eduardo from Jimenez's cute cross after 34 minutes.

Just 81 seconds later the visitors added a third when Jimenez fed Traore and he drilled through former Chelsea goalkeeper Eduardo.

The game looked won and Jota was denied a fourth when he headed at Eduardo five minutes after the break.

The visitors were in cruise control but Braga shocked them after 64 minutes when Paulinho pulled a goal back, tapping in Galeno's low centre.

Wolves were ruffled and Jimenez was booked for dragging down Joao Palhinha, meaning he will miss the final game against Besiktas.

The visitors continued to falter and Braga levelled with 11 minutes left to keep their European dreams alive.

Nuno Sequeira crossed from the right and skipper Fransergio headed in from six yards.

ID:380952:
Share this article now:
Did you know...?
Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo regards the action on September 19, 2019
Read Next:
Wolves boss Nuno: 'I will never abandon my players'
>
Latest Sports Video
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.

rhs 2.0
Europa League
Scottish Premiership
Ligue 1
Belgian Pro League
Russian Premier League
Ukrainian Premier League
Norwegian Eliteserien
Swedish Allsvenskan
Finnish Veikkausliiga
League of Ireland Premier
Belarusian Premier League
Ligue 2
Major League Soccer
Brasileiro
Uruguayan Primera Division
Liga MX
Australian A-League
Chinese Super League
J1 League
Gallagher Premiership
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CPorto34264474225282
2Benfica34245571264577
3Braga341861061402160
4Sporting Lisbon331761048341457
5Rio AveRio Ave341510948361255
6FamalicaoFamalicao34141285351254
7Vitoria de GuimaraesGuimaraes3413111053381550
8MoreirenseMoreirense341013114244-243
9Santa ClaraSanta Clara331110123640-443
10Gil Vicente341110134044-443
11Maritimo34912133442-839
12BoavistaBoavista34109152839-1139
13Pacos de FerreiraPacos de Ferreira34116173652-1639
14TondelaTondela3499163044-1436
15BelenensesBelenenses3498172754-2735
16Vitoria de SetubalSetubal34713142743-1634
17PortimonensePortimonense34712153045-1533
RDesportivo das AvesAves3452272468-4417

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!