Pre-season: Stoke 1 Wolves 1 - report

Wolves drew 1-1 at Stoke in their latest pre-season friendly ahead of the 2025/26 season.

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The opening stages of the game were relatively quiet, until new signing Fer Lopez almost lit up the fixture.

The attacker broke forward and the ball was eventually worked back to him on the edge of the box, but he curled just wide with his left foot.

STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - JULY 26: Bosun Lawal of Stoke City is challenged by Jean-Ricner Bellegarde of Wolverhampton Wanderers during the pre-season friendly match between Stoke City and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Bet365 Stadium on July 26, 2025 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Wolverhampton Wanderers FC/Wolves via Getty Images)
STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - JULY 26: Bosun Lawal of Stoke City is challenged by Jean-Ricner Bellegarde of Wolverhampton Wanderers during the pre-season friendly match between Stoke City and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Bet365 Stadium on July 26, 2025 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Wolverhampton Wanderers FC/Wolves via Getty Images)

Moments later, Divin Mubama had a free header for Stoke but it was straight at goalkeeper Dan Bentley.

But the rest of the half was still remarkably quiet, until the hosts took a 44th minute lead.

A corner was not cleared by Wolves and a shot inside the box was flicked into the net by Bae Junho to put Stoke ahead.

STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - JULY 26: Jorgen Strand Larsen of Wolverhampton Wanderers runs with the ball during the pre-season friendly match between Stoke City and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Bet365 Stadium on July 26, 2025 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Wolverhampton Wanderers FC/Wolves via Getty Images)
STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - JULY 26: Jorgen Strand Larsen of Wolverhampton Wanderers runs with the ball during the pre-season friendly match between Stoke City and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Bet365 Stadium on July 26, 2025 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Wolverhampton Wanderers FC/Wolves via Getty Images)

There may have been a hint of offside in the goal, but it still stood as Wolves entered the half-time break losing 1-0.

As Wolves came out for the second half, one of two changes saw Hugo Bueno get his first pre-season minutes, replacing Andre, as Jean-Ricner Bellegarde moved into midfield.

STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - JULY 26: Fer Lopez of Wolverhampton Wanderers runs with the ball during the pre-season friendly match between Stoke City and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Bet365 Stadium on July 26, 2025 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Wolverhampton Wanderers FC/Wolves via Getty Images)
STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - JULY 26: Fer Lopez of Wolverhampton Wanderers runs with the ball during the pre-season friendly match between Stoke City and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Bet365 Stadium on July 26, 2025 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Wolverhampton Wanderers FC/Wolves via Getty Images)

Vitor Pereira's side were more on the front foot as the second half got under way, but there was still a lack of action in front of goal.

H.Bueno did put in two good crosses, but Wolves were unable to attack them.

STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - JULY 26: Vitor Pereira, Manager of Wolverhampton Wanderers, interacts with his player Joergen Strand Larsen during the pre-season friendly match between Stoke City and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Bet365 Stadium on July 26, 2025 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Wolverhampton Wanderers FC/Wolves via Getty Images)
STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - JULY 26: Vitor Pereira, Manager of Wolverhampton Wanderers, interacts with his player Joergen Strand Larsen during the pre-season friendly match between Stoke City and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Bet365 Stadium on July 26, 2025 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Wolverhampton Wanderers FC/Wolves via Getty Images)

The visitors finally put a nice passing move together when Joao Gomes played in Hwang Hee-chan and the forward was dragged back in the box, as referee Oliver Langford pointed to the spot.

Hwang stepped up to take it and had his spot-kick saved, but the attacker scored from the follow-up.

STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - JULY 26: Jorgen Strand Larsen of Wolverhampton Wanderers runs with the ball during the pre-season friendly match between Stoke City and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Bet365 Stadium on July 26, 2025 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Wolverhampton Wanderers FC/Wolves via Getty Images)
STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - JULY 26: Jorgen Strand Larsen of Wolverhampton Wanderers runs with the ball during the pre-season friendly match between Stoke City and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Bet365 Stadium on July 26, 2025 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Wolverhampton Wanderers FC/Wolves via Getty Images)

Wolves were far better after finding the back of the net and looked dangerous on the attack, largely due to their width down both flanks.

But they were unable to find a winner as the sides settled with a draw.

Wolves team:

Starting XI: Bentley (Johnstone, 45), Hoever (Lima, 81), Doherty (R.Gomes, 61), Agbadou, Toti, Bellegarde (Guedes, 61), Andre (H.Bueno, 45), J.Gomes, Munetsi, Lopez (Hwang, 61), Larsen (Kalajdzic, 61).

Subs not used: King, Lopes, Mane, Chirewa.

STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - JULY 26: Toti Gomes of Wolverhampton Wanderers passes the ball whilst under pressure from Million Manhoef of Stoke City during the pre-season friendly match between Stoke City and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Bet365 Stadium on July 26, 2025 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Wolverhampton Wanderers FC/Wolves via Getty Images)
STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - JULY 26: Toti Gomes of Wolverhampton Wanderers passes the ball whilst under pressure from Million Manhoef of Stoke City during the pre-season friendly match between Stoke City and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Bet365 Stadium on July 26, 2025 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Wolverhampton Wanderers FC/Wolves via Getty Images)