Wolves Win On Return To Europe

Diogo Jota and Ruben Vinagre struck in either half as Wolves won in Europe for the first time in 39 years with a 2-0 victory over Crusaders at Molineux on Thursday.

Portugal international Jota scored Wolves’ first goal in Europe since 1980 with a crisp volley on 37 minutes, before substitute Ruben Vinagre capitalised on a stoppage-time goalkeeping error to double their first-leg advantage in the Europa League second qualifying round tie.

Vinagre’s strike was a bitter pill for Crusaders to swallow after a valiant defensive display looked to have restricted the dominant hosts to just a single goal on their long-awaited return to Europe.

But Wolves’ late second leaves them in the driving seat ahead of the return leg at Seaview in Belfast next Thursday.