MX23RW : Saturday, November 16 13:52:06| >> :120:75096:75096:
[monks data]
Attendance: 12,058
Braga
Europa League | Group Stage
Nov 28, 2019 at 5.55pm UK
 
Wolves logo

3-3

Horta (6'), Paulinho (64'), Fransergio (79')
FT(HT: 1-3)
Jimenez (14'), Doherty (34'), Traore (35')

Wolves book Europa League knockout spot despite second-half collapse

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: cacheID:380952:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4423:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo regards the action on September 19, 2019
Read Next:
Wolves boss Nuno: 'I will never abandon my players'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1Lazio440012
2Ajax431010
3Anderlecht431010
4Frankfurt431010
5Galatasaray431010
6Spurs43019
7FCSB43019
8Lyon42117
9Rangers42117
10Olympiacos42117
11Bodo/Glimt42117
12Midtjylland42117
13Ferencvaros42026
14Man Utd41306
15Plzen41306
16AZ42026
17Besiktas42026
18Hoffenheim41215
19Roma41215
20Fenerbahce41215
21Elfsborg41124
22Braga41124
23Porto41124
24Slavia Prague41124
25Real Sociedad41124
26Malmo41033
27FC Twente40313
28Qarabag41033
29Union SG40222
30Nice40222
31RFS40222
32Ludogorets40131
33PAOK40131
34Athletic Club00000
35M. Tel Aviv40040
36Dynamo Kiev40040


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!