Raul Jimenez converted a stoppage-time penalty to deny Blackburn Rovers a famous opening-day victory at Wolves, but Tony Mowbray's side left with a point that spoke volumes about their character and organisation.

A gulf in resources, not in performance

A television graphic told a stark story before a ball was kicked: the Wolves starting XI cost £98.3m to assemble, Blackburn's just £6.9m. For the best part of 94 minutes, the numbers were rendered irrelevant. Mowbray's side matched their opponents across the pitch, pressed with purpose and carried a genuine goal threat throughout.

Wolves broke the deadlock when Munetsi was afforded too much time between Ryan Alebiosu and Tom Atcheson, exploiting the channel to put his side ahead. Rather than capitulate, Rovers responded quickly. Sean McLoughlin powered through a header for his first Championship goal since 2019, and the sides went in level at the break.

Gudjohnsen finishes the move, Rovers take the lead

Blackburn came out sharper in the second half. Dapo Afolaby, who produced his best display in a Rovers shirt, forced a strong fingertip save from Daniel Bentley with a stinging effort before the second goal arrived. Morishita slid a reverse pass into Afolayan's run, and the forward picked out Andri Gudjohnsen to finish from close range. Gudjohnsen, wearing the number nine shirt this season, has now scored twice in his opening outings and shown the poacher's instinct that the shirt demands.

The Wolves goalkeeper Bentley finished the evening with three saves, while Rovers' Balazs Toth was tested just once before the drama of injury time. That statistic reflected Blackburn's relative comfort: they largely controlled the tempo and kept Wolves at arm's length.

Penalty controversy ends the contest

With four minutes of added time signalled, Rovers briefly lost possession in the Wolves half. A counter-attack followed, a cross struck the arm of Alebiosu, and referee Farai Hallam pointed immediately to the spot. Whether the contact was handball remained fiercely debatable; even on replay, the call resisted a clear verdict. Jimenez, the returning striker, stuttered and shimmied in his run-up before placing the ball firmly past Toth to level at 2-2.

There was still time for Jake Garrett to draw another save from Bentley before the final whistle confirmed the stalemate. Mowbray's verdict was typically pragmatic: take the point, put it in the bag and move on.

Foundations for the season ahead

When the Championship fixtures dropped in June, Wolves away on the opening day looked a punishing assignment for a Rovers side that struggled for consistency last season. The performance here suggests Mowbray has assembled a more cohesive unit. McLoughlin demonstrated the goal threat from centre-half that his manager is demanding; Mowbray wants his defenders to reach five or six goals a season, a standard set by his own playing career. Gudjohnsen's early returns reinforce the striker's growing confidence in front of goal.

Both sets of supporters generated an electric atmosphere throughout. Wolves fans may have anticipated a more straightforward evening; instead they saw their side need a disputed late penalty to avoid defeat against a Blackburn team built on a fraction of their budget.

The point is fair, perhaps even slightly flattering to the hosts. Rovers will take it.

Frequently asked

What was the score between Wolves and Blackburn Rovers?
The Championship opener finished 2-2. Blackburn led through goals from Sean McLoughlin and Andri Gudjohnsen before Raul Jimenez converted a stoppage-time penalty to level for Wolves.
Who scored for Blackburn Rovers against Wolves?
Sean McLoughlin headed Rovers level in the first half, and Andri Gudjohnsen finished from close range early in the second half to put Blackburn 2-1 ahead.
Was the penalty that Wolves got against Blackburn a correct decision?
Referee Farai Hallam awarded the spot kick after the ball struck Ryan Alebiosu's arm late in stoppage time. The decision was highly debatable; even on replays the contact was difficult to judge conclusively.