Jimenez sends Wolves into first European quarter-final in 48 years

Wolves survived a nervous night at Molineux to reach their first European quarter-final in 48 years as Raul Jimenez’s early penalty earned them a 2-1 aggregate win against Olympiakos in the Europa League.

The Mexican’s precise eighth-minute effort, after Daniel Podence had been fouled by Olympiakos’ stand-in keeper Bobby Allain, was his 27th goal of the season and the earliest Wolves had scored in any game during a marathon season that began on 25 July last year and will now extend to a 59th game.

However, Wolves’ rhythm was wrecked eight minutes later when wing-back Jonny suffered a knee injury which allowed Olympiakos to take control.

Mady Camara had a first-half equaliser ruled out after a lengthy VAR check went against Youssef el Arabi by the tightest of margins before the Moroccan sent over the decisive cross.

Rui Patricio denied Kostas Tsimikias with an excellent near-post save and in the second half, the veteran Portugal keeper produced a brilliant full-length save to turn away Ahmed Hassan’s header. (BBC)

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