Duran strike seals narrow win
Wolves concluded their 2025/26 pre-season preparations with a narrow 1-0 defeat to Spanish visitors Celta Vigo at Molineux, as Pablo Duran’s second-half volley proved decisive.
The match wrapped up a summer schedule that had taken Wolves to Portugal, Spain, and back home in the West Midlands. Vítor Pereira’s side now turn their attention to next weekend’s Premier League opener against Manchester City.
Early Celta pressure
Celta started the brighter of the two sides, with Wolves’ defence almost gifting them the lead inside 15 minutes. Emmanuel Agbadou’s loose pass was seized upon by Ferran Jutgla, whose low strike was turned wide by Jose Sa’s fingertips.
New signing David Moller Wolfe endured a heavy early challenge from Javi Rueda but recovered to set up Wolves’ first real chance. Former Celta forward Lopez surged through midfield and squared to fellow summer arrival Jhon Arias, who fired straight at Ionut Radu.
Celta continued to threaten, Rueda twice finding space down the right. His cross to Jutgla at the far post looked certain to break the deadlock, only for Matt Doherty to bravely head clear from close range.
Wolves finished the half with a spell of pressure. Ki-Jana Hoever and Wolfe delivered inviting crosses towards Jorgen Strand Larsen, but the Norwegian forward could not test Radu.
Duran breaks the deadlock
After a subdued start to the second half, the breakthrough arrived on 58 minutes. Fran Beltran lofted a pass between Agbadou and Doherty, allowing Duran to volley on the turn. Sa got a glove to the effort but couldn’t keep it out.
Wolves sought an equaliser, with Lopez leading a counter-attack that ended in Andre firing over, while Agbadou saw a close-range header tipped away by Radu. Strand Larsen also went close but was impeded by tight marking.
Celta almost doubled their lead when substitute Jones El-Abdellaoui drove wide after outmuscling Hugo Bueno.
Late chances go begging
In the closing moments, Wolves’ substitutes nearly combined for a leveller. Sasa Kalajdzic broke in behind but opted to square to Marshall Munetsi, who was quickly crowded out by retreating defenders.
Despite a late push, Celta held firm to secure the win, leaving Wolves with positives in fitness and sharpness, but still searching for cutting edge ahead of their Premier League curtain-raiser.
