Sunderland edges AZ Alkmaar 1-0 in historic Europa League debut
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 16, 2026, 9:48 PM
Last updated Sep 16, 2026
Sunderland secured a 1-0 victory over AZ Alkmaar at the Stadium of Light on September 16, 2026, marking their first European match in 53 years. Enzo Le Fee scored the decisive penalty in the 66th minute after he was fouled in the box. Sunderland dominated the first half, recording 13 shots, the most by a team in its UEFA Europa League home debut since 2017. Despite pressure from Alkmaar in the second half, Sunderland held on for the win. They will next play away against Torreense in their upcoming European fixture.
- •Sunderland played their first European match in 53 years.
- •Enzo Le Fee scored from the penalty spot in the 66th minute.
- •Sunderland had 13 shots in the first half, a competition debut record.
- •The team will face Torreense next month in their following European game.
- 9:48 PMYahoo Sports — Sunderland 1-0 AZ Alkmaar: What Le Bris and Hume said
- 9:47 PMYahoo Sports — Sunderland begin historic European campaign with battling AZ Alkmaar win
"Sunderland's starting line-up had made 131 combined Europa League appearances prior to Wednesday; the most by a team in their first ever game in the competition. Sunderland recorded 13 shots in the first half tonight, the most by a team on their UEFA Europa League home debut since Real Sociedad vs Rosenborg in September 2017 (also 13).
"Sunderland 1-0 AZ Alkmaar: Enzo Le Fee’s second-half penalty ensured the Black Cats notched a victory in their first European match for 53 years
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 16, 2026, 9:48 PMSunderland 1-0 AZ Alkmaar: What Le Bris and Hume said
Sunderland's starting line-up had made 131 combined Europa League appearances prior to Wednesday; the most by a team in their first ever game in the competition. Sunderland recorded 13 shots in the first half tonight, the most by a team on their UEFA Europa League home debut since Real Sociedad vs Rosenborg in September 2017 (also 13).
- Yahoo SportsSep 16, 2026, 9:47 PMSunderland begin historic European campaign with battling AZ Alkmaar win
Sunderland 1-0 AZ Alkmaar: Enzo Le Fee’s second-half penalty ensured the Black Cats notched a victory in their first European match for 53 years
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