Wolves 0 Real Madrid 1 (Iglesias 84)
Wolves under-21s were narrowly beaten by Real Madrid in their 2025/26 Premier League International Cup opener under the lights at Molineux.
Despite Wolves holding themselves in good account for 84 minutes, a late second-half free-kick from Bruno Iglesias proved decisive, settling a closely fought contest just six minutes from time and ensuring the Spanish side left Wolverhampton with all three points.
The early stages of the group stage battle were evenly contested, with both sides cautiously probing. Wolves carved out the first real opening within 10 minutes when Fletcher Holman broke down the left, sliding a ball across goal for Mateus Mane to meet, only for Sergio Mestre to intervene.
A very possession-dominant first half began to take shape for Madrid's under-21 side as they were happy to dictate proceedings, while Wolves countered them with a defensively solid structure.
Madrid registered their first attempt on target courtesy of defender Diego Aguado, when he rose highest to meet a corner, however, home goalkeeper Arthur Nasta was comfortable in gathering his header.
As Wolves grew into the contest, they responded with their own chances. Following a neat move down the right earning the hosts a corner, Ethan Sutherland delivered an inviting delivery for Alfie Pond to guide goalwards, but his effort was cleared off the line.
Moments later, Holman found joy again down the left flank, and switched the ball to Wes Okoduwa arriving into the penalty area, he set himself and struck goalwards but Mestre was equal to the effort.
James Collins’ side went into the break with plenty of positives, having restricted their opponents while asking questions going forward, but Madrid emerged from half-time on top and created two openings inside 10 minutes of the restart.
Roberto Martin laid the ball off to Iglesias before striking low and hard at Nasta’s near-post, however, the Wolves shot-stopper did excellently to get down and meet the strike. While minutes later, Martin was central to proceedings for the visitors again as he slipped Jacobo Ortega through on goal, but he lifted his effort too high, clearing the crossbar.
Nasta was forced into action again when substitute Pol Duran broke free inside the Wolves area, but the Wolves keeper did well to turn the effort to safety.
The Old Gold remained resolute in their defensive work, however chances at Madrid’s goal were few and far between for the hosts in the second half. Momentum increasingly began to tilt Madrid’s way, and they soon found the opener.
Iglesias stood over a dead ball from 20 yards out and lifted it over the Wolves wall and past Nasta’s outstretched glove to give his side a late lead.
The home side attempted to mount a comeback in the dying minutes, with Mane coming closest to the elusive equaliser. Sent into a footrace with Mestre in the Madrid goal, he won the battle, but could only steer his effort wide of the post.
LINEUPS
Wolves | Nasta, Okoduwa, Olagunju, Ojinnaka (Lopes 88), Pond, Barnett (White 83), Mane, Rawlings, Holman (Angel 70), Edozie (Bradbury 70), Sutherland.
Unused subs | Brooks, Voice, Abbey.
Real Madrid | Mestre, D. Jimenez, Aguado, Serrano, Valdepenas (Martinez 67), David (Cestero 61), Angel (Duran 61), Bruno, Fortuny, Martin (Castrelo 67), Jacobo (Zuniga 61).
Unused subs | Sunico, Lamini.
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Written by Callum Greybanks
