Wolves squander two-goal lead but dig in to reach Europa League knockout stages with a game to play

Wolves have qualified for the Europa League knockout stages with a game to spare despite blowing a two-goal lead in Braga. Nuno Espirito Santo's side suffered a second-half stumble to draw 3-3 in Portugal.

Raul Jiménez, Matt Doherty and Adama Traoré had fired the visitors into a 3-1 lead after Andre Horta's early opener. But second-half goals from Paulinho and captain Fransergio rescued Braga to also send them into the last 32.

They remain top of Group K, a point ahead of Wolves, before the final matches on Dec 12.

Thursday also allowed Wolves briefly to forget any speculation linking the manager, Nuno, to Arsenal but early qualification only served to enhance his reputation.

His side have lost just once in their last 14 games in all competitions and sit fifth in the Premier League and their European campaign has been extended with a game, against Besiktas, to spare.

Both sides needed just a point needed to reach the last 32 but Braga laid the first claim for all three after six minutes. Even then, the opener came from nothing when Andre Horta collected the ball 30 yards out.

His drive deflected off Ruben Neves' boot to fly past the helpless Rui Patricio for the winger's first goal since August. Wolves, though, responded just eight minutes later.

The visitors had endured a quiet start but Jonny was afforded too much space on the left to float a perfect cross to the far post for Jiménez to net his 15th goal of the season.

Wolves were unchanged from their 2-1 win at Bournemouth and their strength became apparent as they took control once level. Traoré's drilled cross just evaded Diogo Jota's outstretched leg before Jota dragged an angled drive across goal.

Braga, the 2011 beaten finalists, quickly retreated and Wolves punished them with a quickfire double.

First, Doherty ran unchecked into the area to plant a fine header past the exposed Eduardo from Jiménez's cute cross after 34 minutes.

Just 81 seconds later the visitors added a third when Jiménez fed Traoré and he drilled his shot through the grasp of Eduardo, the former Chelsea goalkeeper.

The game looked won and Jota was denied a fourth when he headed at Eduardo five minutes after the break.

The visitors were in cruise control but Braga shocked them after 64 minutes when Paulinho pulled a goal back, tapping in Galeno's low centre.

Wolves were ruffled and Jiménez was booked for dragging down Joao Palhinha, meaning he will miss the final game against Besiktas.

The visitors continued to falter and Braga levelled with 11 minutes left to keep their European dreams alive.

Nuno Sequeira crossed from the right and skipper Fransergio headed in from six yards. PA