Raul Jimenez made a dramatic comeback at Molineux Stadium, netting a last‑minute penalty that secured a 2-2 draw for Wolverhampton Wanderers against Blackburn Rovers. The match unfolded with Wolves taking an early advantage when Marshall Munetsi finished a precise pass from Fer Lopez, slipping the ball past Blackburn keeper Balazs Hoth. Blackburn responded swiftly; Sean McLoughlin rose to meet a cross from right‑winger Ryoya Morishita and headed home to level the score.

The equilibrium was short‑lived. Early in the second half, Blackburn’s Andri Gudjohnsen found space inside the box and tapped in a close‑range finish, sending the 30,984 spectators into a brief frenzy as the home side surged ahead.

Wolves, sensing the urgency, introduced their returning striker Jimenez off the bench, hoping his experience could turn the tide. For much of the remainder of regular time, Wolves struggled to create clear-cut chances, and the prospect of a loss loomed large. The turning point arrived in stoppage time.

Jackson Tchatchoua delivered a low, left‑wing cross that struck the hand of Blackburn defender Ryan Alebiosu just inside the penalty area. The referee immediately pointed to the spot, awarding a penalty.

With the weight of the home crowd on his shoulders, Jimenez stepped up, kept his composure, and slotted the ball past the keeper, restoring parity and salvaging a point for manager César Peixoto’s side. While the penalty was technically justified, many observers felt the decision was marginal. Blackburn, managed by Tony Mowbray, entered the season as underdogs and had already exceeded early expectations by challenging a traditionally stronger Wolves outfit. Nonetheless, they could not hold onto the lead, and Wolves will need to address several shortcomings if they hope to compete for promotion.

**Key Moments** - 18' – Munetsi opens the scoring for Wolves after a well‑timed run and finish. - 28' – McLoughlin heads Blackburn level from a Morishita cross. - 49' – Gudjohnsen puts Blackburn ahead with a quick finish inside the box. - 60' – Jimenez is introduced, replacing a tired striker.

- 93'+3 – Jimenez converts a penalty to earn a draw for Wolves. After the final whistle, Jimenez spoke to Sky Sports about his emotions: "It feels amazing to be back and to score in the first game of the season.

It’s not the result we wanted at home, but we have to learn from it. Every match will be tough, no matter the opponent.

We need to keep pushing, keep improving, and aim for more points and goals." He also reflected on a gesture he made for the fans: "I gave the supporters in the Sir Jack Hayward Stand some ‘Si Senor’ scarves as a thank‑you. They have shown me a lot of love over the past eight years, even when I wasn’t at the club.

It was the least I could do to give back." Wolves manager César Peixoto offered a candid assessment: "We didn’t get the win we wanted. We were better in the first half, creating several chances but failing to finish.

In the second half we slipped, conceding a goal and then losing our shape. After that we played more with heart than with heads. The effort was there, the players showed great determination, but we need to be more organized and disciplined." Peixoto’s press conference highlighted a recurring issue for Wolves: a loss of tactical cohesion when under pressure.

He noted that the team seemed to rely on emotion rather than structure, a pattern that has haunted the club in past seasons. "The stadium is fantastic, the fans are passionate and stay behind us until the end. However, when things aren’t going our way, the players tend to react emotionally rather than sticking to the game plan. That’s something we must fix." The early season draw also raised concerns about Wolves’ defensive resilience.

Conceding three goals, including two before halftime, suggested lapses in concentration and positioning. The penalty incident itself sparked debate about the decision‑making of the officials, with Mowbray questioning the call: "It looked like the handball was outside the box, but if the ball hit his hand away from his body, modern rules would deem it a penalty.

It was a close call." Mowbray, who had been listening to pundits predict his team’s relegation, used the match as a platform to prove doubters wrong. He highlighted recent signings such as young forward Jayden Fevrier from Stockport County and free‑transfer midfielder Sam Morsy, emphasizing that the squad possesses the quality to challenge stronger opponents.

"We have invested in talent and we’re showing that we can give any team a fight," he said. Looking ahead, Wolves will need to tighten their defensive shape, improve transition play, and maintain composure under pressure.

The coaching staff is expected to review the match footage, identify moments where the team lost its structure, and adjust training accordingly. Squad rotation may also be on the agenda, as injuries and fatigue could become factors in the grueling Championship schedule.

For Blackburn, the draw is a respectable result against a more fancied opponent. Mowbray praised his side’s resilience and noted that the team’s collective spirit remains strong despite external criticism. "We have shown we can compete with the best, and that should give us confidence moving forward," he added.

Overall, the match provided a thrilling spectacle for the 30,984 fans at Molineux, delivering goals, drama, and a last‑minute penalty that will be remembered for weeks. Both managers acknowledged the need for improvement, but also recognized the positives that can be built upon as the season progresses. *Note: For the best viewing experience of match highlights, a Chrome browser is recommended.*