Sunderland marked their long-awaited return to European football with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over AZ Alkmaar at the Stadium of Light, courtesy of a second-half penalty from Enzo Le Fée in the Europa League opener.
The match, played 53 years after Sunderland's last European campaign in the Cup Winners' Cup, carried significant emotional weight for the Wearside club. Among those in attendance was Jimmy Montgomery, now 82, the goalkeeping hero of Sunderland's 1973 FA Cup final win over Leeds and a member of that last European squad. The pre-match atmosphere featured a striking tifo depicting a sailing ship with the message "New shores to conquer," setting the tone for a memorable night.
Manager Régis Le Bris opted for some squad rotation ahead of Sunderland's Premier League trip to Manchester City this weekend, resting Brian Brobbey, Dan Ballard and Thomas Meunier on the bench. Deadline-day signing Malick Fofana, who joined from Lyon for a reported £30m, made his first start for the club.
AZ, unbeaten in their opening five Eredivisie fixtures with one draw, threatened early when Ro-Zangelo Daal forced a smart save from Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs. Sunderland responded through Le Fée, whose half-volley was well handled by AZ keeper Jari De Busser, while Wilson Isidor narrowly failed to convert the rebound.
The hosts continued to press, with Kevin Danso's effort also saved by De Busser, though AZ looked dangerous on the counter, with Trai Hume making a crucial interception to deny Ayoub Oufkir. AZ's Kees Smit and Oufkir showed flashes of quality, but Sunderland dominated the first half territorially, hitting the post through Le Fée and seeing Hume shave the woodwork with a shot from distance.
Oufkir was fortunate to avoid a more serious sanction than a yellow card after a reckless challenge on Le Fée, and AZ coach Leeroy Echteld substituted him at halftime for Weslley Patati.
AZ began the second half strongly, with Smit dribbling past several Sunderland defenders before curling a shot just wide of the target with Roefs beaten. Le Bris responded by bringing on Ballard for the already-booked Omar Alderete.
Sunderland continued to create opportunities, with Isidor unable to finish off a defense-splitting pass from Le Fée, and Hume spurning another good chance. The breakthrough eventually came when Patati fouled Le Fée inside the penalty area as the Frenchman looked to shoot. Despite having a previous spot-kick saved by Arsenal's David Raya last weekend, Le Fée confidently converted, sending De Busser the wrong way with a low strike into the corner.
With the goal in hand, Sunderland brought on Brobbey and pushed for a second, with Nordi Mukiele coming close with a header from a Granit Xhaka corner. AZ, however, remained a threat until the end, particularly through the introduction of Daal after Smit's withdrawal, making for a tense finish as Sunderland's defense held firm.
Captain Granit Xhaka expressed optimism about Sunderland's European prospects following the win, suggesting a run to the Europa League final in Frankfurt next spring is within reach for the squad, though he acknowledged that improved finishing will be necessary given the number of chances squandered on the night.
Elsewhere in the competition, Benfica defeated Ruben Amorim's Milan 2-0 at San Siro, Bayer Leverkusen began their campaign with a win over Celje, and Lyon secured a 2-1 victory at Anderlecht. Omonia Nicosia caused an upset by beating Celta Vigo, while Olympiacos edged Jagiellonia Bialystok late on. Sparta Prague thrashed Ararat-Armenia, while Sturm Graz vs Rennes and Hapoel Be'er Sheva vs Dinamo Zagreb both finished scoreless.
Based on reporting from Guardian Football and Press Association.