Sunderland Makes Winning Return to European Competition
Sunderland marked their first European match in 53 years with a 1-0 victory over AZ Alkmaar on Wearside in the Europa League.
The club had not participated in European football since a 2-0 loss to Sporting in Lisbon in the 1973 Cup Winners' Cup.
Enzo le Fee's penalty secured a deserved and resilient win for the team that finished seventh in the Premier League last season. He followed Micky Horswill as a Sunderland scorer in Europe.
Le Fee earned the decisive penalty after being fouled during a sharp counter-attack, then converted the spot-kick into the bottom corner.
Supported by a loud home crowd, Regis le Bris' team controlled the first 45 minutes. Inaccurate finishing kept the lead narrow.
Le Fee struck the woodwork with a powerful shot before halftime. Later, Sunderland faced significant pressure but managed to hold on as AZ Alkmaar's intensity decreased towards the end.
Sunderland missed chances late in the game to extend their lead.
Other Europa League results from Thursday night included wins for Benfica, Lyon, and Bayer Leverkusen.
Wednesday's Europa League Results:
- Ararat 1-4 Sparta Prague
- Omonia Nicosia 1-0 Celta Vigo
- AC Milan 0-2 Benfica
- Anderlecht 1-2 Lyon
- Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 Celje
- Hapoel Be’er Sheva 0-0 Dinamo Zagreb
- Olympiakos 2-1 Jagiellonia Bialystok
- Sturm Graz 0-0 Rennes
- Sunderland 1-0 AZ Alkmaar
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