Courtesy of a Raul Jimenez penalty, Wolves will be playing amongst the last eight of this year’s Europa League where they will face Spanish side Sevilla who were also victorious in their tie against Roma.
Before football was put on hold, the first leg was played and it ended in a stalemate so both teams had all to play for ahead of yesterday’s clash at the Molineux. Olympiacos eliminated an English side in the last round and would have been confident of doing it again.
Wolves took the lead in the eighth minute when Daniel Podence cleverly won a spot-kick after he was brought down by the opposing goalkeeper. Jimenez stepped up and converted from 12 yards for his 27th goal of the season.
Ten minutes before the break, the visitors thought they were level but their joy was shortlived after VAR ruled out Mady Camara’s goal due to El Arabi’s offside position in the build-up to the goal.
Olympiacos, although incensed by that decision, continued to turn the screw. An El-Arabi flick-on narrowly evaded the outstretched leg of Pape Abou Cisse. Ousseynou Ba then maliciously left one in on Moutinho, with all signs emphatically pointing towards a tense second half.
The only thing that stood between the Greek visitors and an equalizer was Rui Patricio. He was superb in goal all night as he made crucial saves to keep his side in front. His heroics ensured that Wolves will be travelling to Cologne for the conclusion of their European campaign. Jimenez may get all the plaudits for last night’s victory but his goalkeeper was the real hero.
Due to a final day defeat against Chelsea and Arsenal winning the FA Cup, they missed out on an automatic qualification via league standings and must now win the Europa League in order to secure continental football for next season.
At full-time, boss Nuno Espirito Santo gathered his players, coaches and other backroom staff in the centre circle to deliver a victory message. Long after the other players had left, captain Conor Coady wandered around the Molineux pitch speaking on his phone.
