Jiménez’s Stoppage-Time Penalty Rescues Wolves as Blackburn Hold Championship Favourites to 2–2 Draw!

Reported by Musa Antiketu,| Journalist at Obaland magazine.

Wolverhampton Wanderers began their return to the English Championship with a dramatic 2–2 draw against Blackburn Rovers at Molineux on Friday, August 14, 2026, after Raúl Jiménez converted a stoppage-time penalty to rescue a point for the hosts.

The result provided an eventful opening to the 2026/27 Championship campaign, with Wolves having been relegated from the Premier League after nine consecutive seasons in England’s top flight. The club entered the new campaign among the sides expected to challenge for promotion.

Wolves took the lead in the 18th minute through Marshall Munetsi, giving the home side an early advantage. Blackburn, however, responded with determination and levelled through Sean McLoughlin, whose header brought the visitors back into the contest.

Blackburn then completed the turnaround shortly after the interval when Andri Gudjohnsen finished to put Tony Mowbray’s side 2–1 ahead. The visitors defended their advantage for much of the second half and appeared poised to begin their campaign with a notable away victory.

Wolves continued to press for an equaliser as the match entered stoppage time. Their persistence eventually produced a decisive moment when a cross struck Blackburn defender Rayan Alebiosu’s arm inside the penalty area, according to the match officials. The decision proved highly contentious, with Blackburn manager Tony Mowbray expressing strong frustration over the award.

Jiménez, returning to Wolves after his earlier spell at Molineux, stepped forward and calmly converted the penalty in the third minute of added time to make it 2–2.

The goal gave Wolves a share of the points but also highlighted defensive and tactical concerns for new head coach César Peixoto. The Portuguese manager’s high-pressing approach showed attacking promise, yet Blackburn repeatedly demonstrated how gaps could be exploited when Wolves committed players forward.

For Blackburn, the late equaliser will be viewed as a frustrating conclusion to an otherwise encouraging performance. Mowbray praised his players’ effort but questioned the decisive penalty call, saying he intended to seek clarification from the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL).

Jiménez’s return, meanwhile, added an emotional dimension to the contest. The Mexican striker was warmly received by Wolves supporters and ultimately delivered the moment that prevented his side from suffering defeat in their first Championship match.

The 2–2 result leaves both clubs with a point from the opening fixture, although Wolves will recognise that significantly more consistency will be required if they are to turn promotion expectations into reality.

The match was reported by several widely recognised football and news outlets, including The Guardian, talkSPORT, and The Telegraph, with coverage focusing particularly on Jiménez’s late penalty, Blackburn’s performance and the controversy surrounding the decisive refereeing decision.

Sources

• The Guardian
• The Telegraph

Raúl Jiménez scored a stoppage-time penalty as Wolves drew 2–2 with Blackburn in their dramatic 2026/27 Championship opener at Molineux.