Raul Jimenez scored twice as Wolves took firm control of their Europa League third-round qualifier against Armenian side Pyunik with a dominant first-leg display in Yerevan.
Returning from pre-season injury, Republic of Ireland right-back Matt Doherty slotted into the bottom corner from Diogo Jota’s pass to put the visitors ahead after 29 minutes.
Jota provided two further assists for strike partner Jimenez either side of the interval, allowing the unmarked Mexican to fire into the roof of the net three minutes before half-time and then add his side’s third 35 seconds after the restart.
Second-half substitute Ruben Neves converted an injury-time penalty, won by £16m summer signing Patrick Cutrone, as Wolves – competing in Europe for the first time since 1980 – recorded their biggest ever continental victory.
Manager Nuno Espirito Santo handed a first appearance to AC Milan arrival Cutrone as Doherty, Jota and Jimenez were withdrawn in anticipation of the club’s opening Premier League fixture away to Leicester City on Sunday (14:00 BST).
The second leg against Pyunik takes place at Molineux next Thursday (19:45), with the winners playing either Italian side Torino or Shakhtyor Soligorsk of Belarus in the play-off round on 22 and 29 August – the final qualifying round before the group stages.