Raúl Jiménez marked his second spell at Wolverhampton Wanderers by scoring a stoppage-time penalty to prevent Wolves from suffering a damaging defeat on their return to the Championship.

The Mexico international was introduced from the bench and calmly converted from 12 yards after Ryan Alebiosu was penalised for handball. Blackburn questioned the decision, with replays appearing to suggest the defender may have been outside the penalty area when Jackson Tchatchoua’s cross struck his arm.

For Wolves, the absence of VAR in the Championship could be viewed as one small benefit of relegation. Had the technology been available, the location of the incident would almost certainly have been examined closely.

Jiménez’s return had already generated plenty of goodwill before kick-off. The striker had purchased scarves for supporters in the South Bank as a gesture of appreciation for the reception he received on his return to Molineux. His late penalty then provided the perfect sporting response, securing his first goal since rejoining the club where he enjoyed the most successful period of his career before moving to Fulham.

Peixoto urges patience with veteran striker

Wolves head coach César Peixoto underlined Jiménez’s importance after the match, describing him as a player whose instincts are built around creating and scoring goals.

The Portuguese manager also acknowledged that the 35-year-old must be managed carefully. Jiménez joined Wolves after returning from the World Cup with Mexico and had a delayed start to pre-season, meaning Peixoto does not want to rush his involvement.

Peixoto believes the forward can make a major contribution both on the pitch and within the dressing room, but stressed that maintaining his fitness and form will be crucial throughout the campaign.

Blackburn expose weaknesses in Wolves system

For long periods, Blackburn looked capable of leaving Molineux with all three points. Sean McLoughlin and Andri Gudjohnsen overturned an early Wolves advantage created by Marshall Munetsi, exposing problems in the hosts’ defensive structure.

The result will do little to ease concerns surrounding Wolves following a turbulent summer. The club opted to replace Rob Edwards with Peixoto, a coach who had no previous experience of managing in English football. His work with Gil Vicente, which included guiding the Portuguese side to sixth place in the top flight, earned admiration, but success in Portugal was never going to guarantee an immediate impact in the Championship.

Wolves eventually escaped with a point, but their performance demonstrated how much work remains to be done.

Blackburn manager Tony Mowbray was particularly unhappy with the penalty that produced the equaliser. He said one replay shown by his analyst appeared to place Alebiosu outside the box, while another suggested the defender was just inside it.

Mowbray felt the decision was especially difficult to accept because he believed Blackburn had done enough to win the match and did not deserve to concede a second goal in such circumstances.

Munetsi provides bright opening

The atmosphere at Molineux initially reflected a sense of renewed optimism. Golden sunlight fell across the stadium as supporters looked forward to a fresh start after the disappointment of relegation and the unexpected change in the dugout.

That optimism increased when Wolves opened the scoring.

Blackburn’s back line left a sizeable gap, allowing Munetsi to attack the space created in front of him. Fer López spotted the opportunity and supplied an excellent pass, leaving the Zimbabwe international with a clear route towards goal.

Munetsi completed the move with a composed finish, strengthening the positive mood around the ground. He was also returning to Wolves after spending time on loan at Paris FC.

However, Peixoto’s aggressive pressing approach soon began to create vulnerabilities whenever possession changed hands.

Blackburn exploit Wolves on the counter

Blackburn repeatedly found opportunities to attack the spaces left behind Wolves’ midfield and defence. Their activity in the transfer market had not suggested they were expected to dramatically improve on last season’s 20th-place finish, but Mowbray’s side showed enough discipline to punish Wolves when gaps appeared.

The equaliser arrived through a well-delivered cross from Ryoya Morishita on the right. McLoughlin rose to meet the ball and directed his header beyond goalkeeper Dan Bentley.

Wolves continued to look dangerous going forward, with López standing out as one of the most technically gifted players on the pitch.

After returning from a loan spell with Celta Vigo, the Spaniard has been given an opportunity to establish himself as Wolves’ principal No 10. He nearly restored the home side’s advantage when he created room for a shot, but his effort drifted narrowly wide.

Gudjohnsen puts Blackburn ahead

Blackburn remained dangerous whenever Wolves lost their defensive shape.

Bentley had already been forced into action to keep out an effort from Oladapo Afolayan before the winger again found room down Wolves’ left side. David Møller Wolfe, deputising for the injured Hugo Bueno, was unable to prevent the cross, with the Norway international still working his way back to full match sharpness after his World Cup involvement.

Gudjohnsen was on hand to meet the delivery from close range and put Blackburn 2-1 ahead early in the second half.

Peixoto admitted afterwards that his side had allowed emotion to take over. Rather than maintaining the discipline and organisation required for a full 90 minutes, Wolves had become increasingly instinctive in their play.

The new head coach viewed the match as an important lesson, insisting that his team must remain mentally composed even when the game becomes difficult.

South Bank calls for Jiménez

As the second half progressed, attention increasingly turned towards Jiménez.

By the hour mark, supporters in the South Bank were holding his scarves above their heads while singing “Si Señor”, the chant long associated with the Mexican forward.

Jiménez remains an iconic figure at Molineux after playing a central role during one of the most memorable periods in the club’s modern history. During his first spell, he helped Nuno Espírito Santo’s Wolves compete deep into the FA Cup and Europa League before his career was interrupted by a serious head injury.

His return to the pitch against Blackburn offered the veteran a chance to reconnect with the supporters who had held him in such high regard.

When the penalty arrived in stoppage time, the stage was ready.

Jiménez stepped forward and made no mistake, sending the ball into the net to bring Wolves level at 2-2 and spare them from an opening-day defeat.

Match statistics

Wolves finished with 58% possession compared with Blackburn’s 42%.

The hosts attempted 17 shots, with two testing the goalkeeper, while Blackburn registered 10 efforts and placed five on target. Both sides won five corners, while Wolves committed nine fouls compared with Blackburn’s 15.

The numbers reflected a match in which Wolves controlled more of the ball but struggled to turn that possession into consistent attacking danger.

For Peixoto, the late equaliser offered relief but also highlighted the scale of the challenge ahead. Wolves have returned to the Championship with expectations firmly on their shoulders, and their opening performance suggested that maintaining concentration and defensive organisation will be just as important as developing their attacking identity.

Jiménez’s late intervention ensured the night ended without defeat, but Blackburn had provided Wolves with an early reminder that promotion ambitions will require far more consistency.