Wolves 0-1 Sporting Braga: Hosts beaten in Europa League opener

Wolves' first appearance in the main stage of a European competition since 1980 ended in defeat as they lost 1-0 to Sporting Braga in their Europa League Group K opener at Molineux.

Leander Dendoncker had Wolves' best chance but his close-range effort early in the second half was saved.

The defeat was Wolves' third in succession after Premier League losses against Everton and Chelsea.

The hosts had been the better side in the first half, with Patrick Cutrone a particular menace and the Italian should have done better with a low strike that flew wide of the far post.

Sporting Braga had rarely threatened up to that point with their only shot on target in the first 70 minutes a tame Paulinho effort.

But the Portuguese side, who reached the final of the competition in 2010-11, took full advantage of a defensive mistake when Ryan Bennett's hit a sloppy pass straight at Wenderson Galeno and the forward charged towards goal before squaring a ball for Horta to finish.

Wolves threw everything at the Braga defence in the final few minutes to try and rescue a draw but were unable to find an equaliser, with Raul Jimenez flicking a header wide of goal in the final minute of stoppage time.

Wolves fall just short on historic occasion

There was a real sense of occasion before kick off as Wolves fans gathered at Molineux to witness their side play in a major European competition for the first time since the 1980-81 Uefa Cup, with kick-off preceded by a dazzling light show.

Initially, the game itself failed to live up to the glitzy opening with Wolves looking nervous, perhaps still licking their wounds following the 5-2 defeat at Chelsea last time out.

As the game wore on they grew in confidence but promising attacks often ended in disappointment with decision-making in the final third letting them down.

Wolves' impressive seventh-place finish on their return to the Premier League last season was built on a high-tempo style of football, with quick, incisive passing and clinical finishing - but those characteristics have only been seen in glimpses in this campaign and it was more of the same in this game.

Including the six Europa League qualifiers, this was Wolves' 12th game of the season - many of their domestic rivals have only played half that. The challenges of fighting on numerous fronts appears to be proving a difficult balancing act for Nuno Espirito Santo's side.

Defensive frailties come to the fore again

Wolves boasted one of the best defences in the Premier League last season, conceding just 46 goals - a record only bettered by Chelsea, Tottenham, Manchester City and Liverpool.

However, defending has been a particular issues for Nuno's side this term, particularly in recent games with 10 goals conceded in their first five games with eight of those coming in their last two fixtures.

In an effort to tighten things up at the back, Nuno reverted to his tried and tested back three of Ryan Bennett, Conor Coady and Willy Boly and in the main they did well to limit Braga to few chances.

But in the end it was another defensive error that proved costly, with Bennett punished for a sloppy pass. Frailty at the back is something Nuno will have to resolve soon if Wolves are to improve.

Man of the match - Patrick Cutrone

A rare home blank for Wolves - the stats

• Wolves have lost three consecutive games in all competitions for the first time since November 2018. It's the first time they've failed to score at home in any competition since April.
• At Molineux, Wolves have suffered back-to-back defeats across all competitions for the first time since January 2019 (0-2 v Liverpool and 0-2 v Crystal Palace).
• Braga remain unbeaten in each of their opening group stage games of a Europa League campaign, winning four and drawing one (all four wins coming in away games).
• Braga have won two of their last three European away games in England (L1), having failed to win any of their first six such games (D2 L4).
• Braga's Ricardo Horta has scored his fifth goal of the season, with all five coming in European competition (Including qualifiers).

What next?

Wolves' focus returns to the Premier League with a trip to Crystal Palace on Sunday (14:00 BST).