Wolves 3 (Lopez 18, H Bueno 76, Mosquera 79) Racing Santander 0
Wolves finished their pre-season preparations in the best possible way with a comfortable 3-0 win over La Liga side Racing Santander at Molineux, as Spaniards Fer Lopez and Hugo Bueno found the net before Yerson Mosquera put the result beyond doubt.
Despite a bright start from the visitors who forced Bentley into a save early on, as the keeper tipped over Gaby Jimenez’s long-range effort over his crossbar, it was Wolves who had the best of the early opportunities.
Cesar Peixoto’s high pressing style has been working well in pre-season and it was on display once again at Molineux with Wolves taking the lead on 18 minutes. Andre cut out a pass in the middle of the pitch and after Marshall Munetsi stretched to send Lopez clear, the Spaniard cut the ball onto his left and fired into the far corner.
Wolves’ pressing game led to several chances inside the opening half hour for Adam Armstrong, but the striker could only fire narrowly over, while Mateus Mane hit a volley high and wide and Rodrigo Gomes also fired over the crossbar before the interval.
Santander came out strong following the break, with a big chance falling to Juan Arana from a free-kick, 20 yards out from goal, which was fired over Bentley’s crossbar, while the offside flag came to Wolves’ rescue to deny Andres Martin after he latched onto a long ball before firing into the net, but he had just mistimed his run.
Wolves still had their moments, with Bueno going on a powerful run down the left, cutting inside onto his weaker right foot but just curling an effort off target, and it was the Spaniard who made it two later in the second half when he picked up the ball in midfield and after skipping past several Santander players, found the bottom corner with a clever finish.
Moments later it was three to the hosts. From a Kieran Trippier corner, the second half skipper put a great cross into the Santander box which invited Mosquera to run onto it and power his header beyond Simon Eriksson. Wolves had chances to add more goals with Munetsi missing the best after firing over from 12 yards out, but it mattered not for Peixoto’s side who finished pre-season comfortable winners.
Wolves | Bentley, Trippier, Mosquera, Toti (Olagunju 86), H Bueno, Andre, Munetsi, R Gomes, Lopez (Doyle 68), Mane (Tchatchoua 77), Armstrong (Chirewa 68).
Santander | Eriksson, Mantilla (Mesonero 85), Manu, Sainz-Maza, Canales (Bascuana 85), Arana (Vicente 60), Martin, Gonzalez (Solorzano 85), Camara (Laso 77), Casellanos, Jimenez.
