Raul Jimenez made a dramatic comeback at Molineux, netting a stoppage‑time penalty that secured a 2‑2 draw for Wolverhampton Wanderers against Blackburn Rovers. The match began with Wolves taking the initiative when Marshall Munetsi found the back of the net after Fer Lopez slipped a precise pass through the defence, allowing Munetsi to finish cleanly past Blackburn keeper Balazs Hoth.
Blackburn responded quickly, with Sean McLoughlin rising to meet a cross from right‑winger Ryoya Morishita and heading home to level the scores. The equilibrium was short‑lived.
Early in the second half, Andri Gudjohnsen, who had been a surprise starter for the Rovers, seized an opportunity inside the box and tapped the ball past the Wolves goalkeeper, sending the home crowd of 30,984 into disbelief. The goal put Blackburn ahead and left Wolves searching for a spark. The manager, Cesar Peixoto, turned to his returning talisman, Jimenez, who had been introduced as a substitute in the 60th minute. For a while it seemed the game would end in a loss for the home side.
The turning point arrived when Jackson Tchatchoua sent a low, left‑wing cross into the penalty area. The ball struck the hand of Blackburn defender Ryan Alebiosu just inside the box, prompting the referee to point to the spot.
Jimenez stepped up, composed himself, and slotted the penalty home in the third minute of added time, rescuing a point for Wolves. While the point was earned, many observers felt Blackburn were the more deserving side. Tony Mowbray’s Rovers entered the season as underdogs, yet they have already demonstrated resilience and a capacity to challenge stronger opponents. Wolves, on the other hand, displayed moments of promise but also exposed vulnerabilities that could hinder their ambitions if not addressed promptly.
In post‑match interviews, Jimenez expressed his delight at returning to the Wolves’ home ground and finding the net on his first appearance of the campaign. "It feels amazing to be back and to score in the opening game of the season," he told Sky Sports.
"The result isn’t what we wanted, but we’ll learn from it. Every match will be a battle, regardless of the opposition, and we need to keep improving, earn points, and score goals." He also reflected on a gesture he made for the fans in the Sir Jack Hayward Stand, where he handed out complimentary "Si Senor" scarves.
"The supporters have shown me a lot of love over the past eight years, even when I wasn’t at the club. Giving them something back felt like the least I could do," Jimenez added.
Wolves’ manager, Cesar Peixoto, was candid about his team’s performance. "We didn’t get the result we wanted; we wanted a win," he said.
"We were better in the first half, creating several chances but failing to finish. In the second half we slipped, conceded a goal, and then lost our shape, playing more with heart than with heads.
The effort was there, the players showed great determination, but we must become more organized and disciplined." During the press conference, Peixoto was pressed on the issue of Wolves’ loss of organization—a recurring theme at Molineux. He acknowledged that the atmosphere in a packed stadium can raise expectations and pressure, and that the team seemed to react emotionally rather than strategically after falling behind. "The stadium is fantastic, the crowd is passionate, but when things aren’t going our way, the players can become too emotional and lose tactical focus," he explained.
The lack of composure was evident in the period when Wolves were trailing. Peixoto noted that the side failed to wait for the right moments to press high, leaving gaps that Blackburn exploited.
"We didn’t trigger our usual patterns, and because of that, when we pressed, we lost compactness and gave the opposition space," he said. This lapse contributed to the panic that spread among both players and supporters as the match progressed.
Looking ahead, Wolves will likely make adjustments to the squad and tactics in the coming weeks. The coaching staff hopes that fresh personnel and clearer instructions will help the team regain its balance and avoid repeating the same mistakes.
However, lingering doubts about mental resilience could become a persistent obstacle if not addressed. Blackburn’s manager, Tony Mowbray, defended his side’s performance and offered his perspective on the penalty decision. "From the replays it looks like the handball happened outside the box," he remarked, "but if the ball struck the hand away from the body, modern rules would still deem it a penalty." Mowbray also shared a personal anecdote about the journey to Wolverhampton.
While traveling, he listened to pundits predicting that Blackburn might be relegated, a notion that could have demoralized a less confident squad. Instead, his players responded with belief.
He highlighted recent signings, such as young forward Jayden Fevrier from Stockport County and free‑transfer midfielder Sam Morsy, emphasizing that the team possesses enough quality to trouble even the league’s top sides. "We showed today that we have the talent to give any opponent a tough game," Mowbray concluded, expressing optimism about the season ahead. Overall, the match served as a microcosm of the early Championship season: Wolves displayed flashes of attacking intent but also exposed defensive frailties and a tendency to lose structure under pressure. Blackburn, despite being the underdog, proved they could compete and even lead against a traditionally stronger side.
Both managers recognized the need for continuous improvement, and fans of both clubs will be keenly watching how the teams evolve over the next few fixtures. The game also featured several notable moments that were highlighted in the broadcast: Munetsi’s opening goal at the 18‑minute mark, McLoughlin’s equaliser at 28 minutes, Gudjohnsen’s decisive strike at 49 minutes, Jimenez’s introduction at 60 minutes, and finally his penalty at 93 minutes. These timestamps underscored the ebb and flow of a tightly contested encounter that ultimately ended in a hard‑earned point for Wolverhampton Wanderers.