WOLVES’ 6,000-strong army of soggy supporters saluted Nuno Esperito Santo for leading them into last 32 of the Europa League.
Then urged their much-admired Portuguese gaffer to turn his back on rumoured interest from Arsenal – and party with them all the way to the final in Gdansk!
Raul Jimenez did what he does best, scoring, as he netted the equaliser for Wolves in the 13th minuteCredit: Reuters
Not even a late comeback by the home side, which saw them battle back from 3-1 down to snatch a draw with 11 minutes remaining, spoiled the night for Nuno’s faithful fans.
The fact Braga wore Arsenal kit and revel in the nickname The Arsenalists was an added bonus for those hardy Wolves supporters who braved the torrential rain in this northern Portuguese outpost!
“Nuno’s the Special One,” they roared, then “F*** the Arsenal,” as they started to plan for Poland, where this year’s Europa League final will be staged in May.
Fanciful? Yes if you count the late lapses which saw Wolves let top spot in Group K slip from their grasp.
Ricardo Horta had fired Braga into an early lead in the Europa League clashCredit: Reuters
But far from far-fetched when you saw the way this powerful Wolves outfit tore experienced Euro campaigners like Braga apart when the mood took them during a devastating first half blitz which saw the visitors plunder three goals in 22 minutes.
Right now you would bet on Wolves being there before Arsenal – even though it’s the Gunners who currently boast a manager who has won this trophy on a hat-trick of occasions.
Not even the loss of an early goal to Andre Horta rattled Nuno’s boys against the only team to have beaten them in 11 European outings this season.
Braga’s iconic Axa Municipal Stadium is one of the most iconic in Europe as it sits in the midst of a quarry.
6,000 WOLVES FANS MAKE TRIP
And Wolves found themselves stuck between a rock and a hard place when they fell behind in Braga’s first attack.
Andre Horta tried his luck on a rain-soaked surface and let fly from 30 yards out. Ruben Neves did his best to block the ball but only succeeded in deflecting it past a bemused Rui Patricio.
It was no way for the Portuguese international to celebrate his achievement in becoming the first goalie to clock up 50 appearances in the Group Stages and beyond of this competition.
Undeterred Wolves hit back seven minutes later when Jonny took out Braga’s keeper with a sublime cross and Raul Jimenez calmly nodded home at the far post.
Braga suddenly looked more exposed than their fans as the rain lashed down and Jota just failed to get on the end of a Traore cross before flashing a shot just wide of the far post.
BRAGA STILL UNDEFEATED
However Jimenez was proving too hot for Braga to handle and it was the Mexican’s clever spin and cross after 34 minutes which set up Matt Doherty.
The Irishman, identified as a threat by Braga boss Ricardo Sa Pinto, lived up to the billing by heading past Eduardo to put Wolves ahead.
Sixty seconds later it was 3-1 to the visitors as Traore ripped Wallace to shreds before drilling low beyond Eduardo.
At that point the contest seemed over but Braga were chasing a Portuguese record of 12 consecutive games in Europe without defeat and they rallied after the break.
Galeno skipped past Doherty and squared for Paulinho to apply the simplest of tap-ins at the far post midway through the second period.
Braga were further buoyed by the departure of Jimenez who was replaced by Braga old boy Pedro Neto.
Adama Traore had another fine game and scored a beautyCredit: Reuters
Sa Pinto’s side pushed on as they sought to achieve something even the great Benfica and Sporting Lisbon sides of the past couldn’t manage as they chased that dozen game mark.
It arrived following a half-cleared corner which was pounced on by Sequeria who swept in a cross which his skipper Fransergio bulleted beyond Patricio with a stunning header.
It was a sloppy end but Wolves were through and planning to party all the way to the final.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
