WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND — Raul Jimenez emerged as the hero for Wolverhampton Wanderers on Thursday evening, converting a dramatic late penalty to secure a 2-2 draw against Blackburn Rovers in their Championship opener at Molineux Stadium.
The Mexican striker kept his composure from the spot in the dying moments of the match, slotting home to salvage a point for Gary O’Neil’s side after they had trailed twice during a pulsating encounter. The result ensures Wolves begin their Championship campaign with a share of the spoils, though questions will linger over defensive frailties that nearly cost them victory on home soil.
Blackburn took the lead in the 22nd minute when Sammie Szmodics capitalised on a defensive mix-up to fire past the Wolves goalkeeper. The visitors’ advantage, however, lasted only eleven minutes, with Jean-Ricner Bellegarde restoring parity with a composed finish following a flowing team move that cut through the Rovers defence.
The second half continued in similar frenetic fashion, with Blackburn regaining the lead through Tyrhys Dolan in the 68th minute. The winger’s strike left Wolves staring at an opening-day defeat, but the home side refused to surrender. Deep into stoppage time, Wolves were awarded a penalty after a handball in the box, and Jimenez stepped up to dispatch the equaliser with characteristic nerveless precision.
The result offers Wolves a foundation to build upon as they navigate life back in the Championship following their relegation from the Premier League. Manager Gary O’Neil will take encouragement from his side’s fighting spirit but will demand defensive improvements after his team conceded twice on home soil.
For Blackburn, the draw represents a missed opportunity to secure all three points, though they will take heart from a performance that troubled their more fancied opponents.
Wolves now turn their attention to their next Championship fixture, with Jimenez’s late intervention ensuring the Molineux faithful left with a positive result to begin the long campaign ahead.
