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Wolves join Braga in last 32 despite second-half collapse

Wolves reached the Europa League knockout stages with a game to spare despite blowing a two-goal lead in Braga.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side suffered a second-half stumble to draw 3-3 in Portugal.

Raul Jimenez, Matt Doherty and Adama Traore had fired the visitors into a 3-1 lead after Andre Horta’s early opener.

Even then, the opener came from nothing when Andre Horta collected the ball 30 yards out.

His drive deflected off Ruben Neves’ boot to fly past the helpless Rui Patricio for the winger’s first goal since August.

Traore’s drilled cross just evaded Diogo Jota’s outstretched leg before Jota dragged an angled drive across goal.

First, Doherty ran unchecked into the area to plant a fine header past the exposed Eduardo from Jimenez’s cute cross after 34 minutes.

The visitors were in cruise control but Braga shocked them after 64 minutes when Paulinho pulled a goal back, tapping in Galeno’s low centre.

Wolves were ruffled and Jimenez was booked for dragging down Joao Palhinha, meaning he will miss the final game against Besiktas.

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