MX23RW : Monday, January 27 04:46:31| >> :600:249787:249787:
[monks data]
Attendance: 14,525
Espanyol logo
Europa League | Round of 32
Feb 27, 2020 at 5.55pm UK
 
Wolves logo

3-2

Calleri (16', 57' pen., 90')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Traore (22'), Doherty (79')

Wolves safely through to last 16 despite Espanyol defeat

A hat-trick from Jonathan Calleri saw the LaLiga club to victory on the night.

Jonathan Calleri's hat-trick failed to end Wolves' Europa League dream as they reached the last 16 despite defeat at Espanyol.

Former West Ham flop Calleri hit three to earn the hosts a 3-2 win in Barcelona on Thursday, as Wolves progressed 6-3 on aggregate.

Adama Traore and Matt Doherty netted for the visitors, who now wait for Friday's draw to discover their next opponents, even after suffering their first away defeat in Europe this season.

There was a brief disturbance early in the second half when police and stewards removed a small group of fans from hospitality seats, but despite there being Wolves supporters in the home areas it was only a minor flashpoint.

On the pitch, Nuno Espirito Santo's side rarely looked in danger of blowing their commanding 4-0 advantage from the first leg at Molineux.

The boss had the luxury of being able to rest hat-trick hero Diogo Jota and Ruben Neves completely while handing a full debut to £21million January buy Daniel Podence.

Espanyol fans turned their backs on the team with the RCDE Stadium barely a third full and the club prioritising their LaLiga survival fight over the last-32 tie.

But after a sedate opening 15 minutes, the hosts gave themselves hope of an improbable comeback.

Neither side had threatened before Espanyol strung together a flowing move down the left and Adria Pedrosa crossed for Calleri to finish from close range with the game's first shot on target.

The lead lasted just six minutes, though, as Traore levelled.

The wideman, playing as a central striker, was picked out by Podence and Fernando Calero blocked his initial shot.

Yet the ricochet fell kindly and Traore squeezed a second attempt beyond the grasp of Andrea Prieto from six yards.

The tie was over as a contest with the hosts needing to score five, but Espanyol – five points from safety at the bottom of LaLiga – kept their belief.

Podence shot over at the start of the second half before Max Kilman gave the home side another lifeline after 55 minutes, when he was penalised for a high foot on David Lopez in the box and Calleri sent Rui Patricio the wrong way from the spot.

Morgan Gibbs-White, making his first start since October, fired over, but Wolves barely threatened in the second half.

Espanyol pressed but their purpose waned as time began to run out and Wolves levelled for a second time when Podence's low cross was converted by Doherty with 11 minutes left.

Pedro Neto then spurned a glorious late chance when he astonishingly shot wide of an open goal after rounding Prieto.

It was left to Calleri to wrap up the scoring in stoppage time and win it on the night for Espanyol when he headed in to complete his hat-trick.

ID:391122: cacheID:391122:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5122:
Written by
P A
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Head Abelardo Fernandez of Sporting Gijon reacts during the La Liga match between Sporting Gijon and Real Madrid at Estadio El Molinon on August 23, 201
Read Next:
Abelardo Fernandez urges Espanyol to be "brave and daring" against Wolves
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
QLazio761019
2Athletic Bilbao751116
3Frankfurt751116
4Man Utd743015
5Lyon742114
6Spurs742114
7Anderlecht742114
8FCSB742114
9Galatasaray734013
10Bodo/Glimt741213
11Olympiacos733112
12Plzen733112
13Rangers732211
14AZ732211
15Union SG732211
16Real Sociedad731310
17Ajax731310
18PAOK731310
19Midtjylland731310
20Elfsborg731310
21Roma72329
22Ferencvaros73049
23Fenerbahce72329
24Besiktas73049
25Porto72238
26FC Twente71427
27Braga72147
28Hoffenheim71336
29M. Tel Aviv72056
30RFS71245
31Slavia Prague71154
32Malmo71154
33Ludogorets70343
34Qarabag71063
35Nice70252
36Dynamo Kiev70161


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!