BREAKING NEWS: Wolves appeared weary, according to the national media.

Wolves’ epic season reached an agonising end as Lucas Ocampos headed a goal two minutes from time to send Sevilla into a Europa League semi-final against Manchester United.

There can be no begrudging the Spaniards their progress on the balance of play in this quarter-final, but Wolves’ pain was deepened by the knowledge that things might have panned out very differently if Raúl Jiménez had not had a penalty saved early on – or if the referee, or VAR, had spotted encroachment by Sevilla’s Diego Carlos and ordered a retake.

Sevilla, the definitive specialists in this tournament, took charge after that let-off but Wolves survived their best efforts and clung to the hope of landing a decisive blow on the counterattack until Ocampos finally exploded their resistance, glancing in a header following a sumptuous inswinging cross from Éver Banega.

It was a shattering way for Wolves to end their 59th match of an exceptionally challenging season and their first European quarter-final since 1972.

But when time smooths the rawness of this defeat, Nuno Espírito Santo and his squad can reflect with pride on the feats that took them this far. This Europa League campaign began in July 2019 but, in a deeper sense, it started with the appointment of Nuno in May 2017. Wolves had just finished 15th in the Championship before the Portuguese manager’s arrival, squashed glumly between Barnsley and Ipswich Town. Nuno built an identity that has earned promotion, two top-half finishes in the Premier League and rousing victories on the continent before this honourable defeat to the Europa League’s most decorated club.

Lucas Ocampos struck late for Sevilla to set up a semi-final with Manchester United and end Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Europa League run after Raul Jimenez missed an early penalty.

Argentine winger Ocampos rose to head beyond Rui Patricio in the 88th minute from Ever Banega’s pinpoint cross.

The goal came following a corner, of which Sevilla had 14 compared to Wolves’ 0 during a thoroughly dominant performance.

Wolves did have a golden chance to take an early lead, however, as Jimenez – the hero of the last-16 stage – stepped up to take a penalty in the 13th minute.

Adama Traore capitalised on Wolves’ bright start to win the spot kick in the 11th minute, with his electrifying burst into the area drew a clumsy foul from defender Diego Carlos.