Sunderland’s penalty secures historic European debut at Light

Sunderland opened their Europa League campaign with a 1‑0 victory over AZ Alkmaar at the Stadium of Light on Wednesday, the Black Cats’ first European match in 53 years. Enzo Le Fee converted a 66th‑minute penalty to seal the win and give the side a historic start.

Line‑up changes and tactical tweaks

Regis Le Bris made four changes to the starting eleven after Saturday’s defeat to Arsenal, with Omar Alderete, Trai Hume, Malick Fofana and Wilson Isidor all beginning the match. AZ Alkmaar responded with two alterations, bringing Kees Smit and Ayoub Oufkir into the line‑up.

The opening minutes saw Sunderland wobble when Le Fee mis‑passed from Robin Roefs, allowing Smit to collect the ball and release Mexx Meerdink, whose effort was turned behind by Roefs. A corner saw Meerdink nod over, and Jari De Busser was called upon to tip away Le Fee’s inswinging corner.

Le Fee continued to trouble the defence, forcing De Busser to parry a strike before sending a cross that found Wilson Isidor just out of reach. Kevin Danso’s curling effort was clawed away, and a subsequent corner saw Alderete’s header drift wide. Isidor’s low pass found an unmarked Le Fee, who rattled the post with a first‑time shot, while Trai Hume’s angled attempt was scrambled away.

Second‑half drama and decisive penalty

Alkmaar began the second half brightly, with Smit weaving into the box and rolling a shot that narrowly missed the post. Wilson Isidor and Hume both struck wide, and De Busser saved another Hume effort as Sunderland sought to re‑assert control. A penalty was awarded after Le Fee was fouled by substitute Weslley Patati, and the Frenchman coolly placed the ball into the bottom‑right corner.

Later chances included Nordi Mukiele’s header from a corner sailing wide, Ro‑Zangelo Daal’s deflected strike, and Valdemar Andreasen’s two attempts blocked before a shot by Meerdink was saved by Roefs. Weslley Patati blazed over the crossbar, Nilson Angulo’s effort was cleared off the line by Elijah Dijkstra, and Brian Brobbey’s chip went over the bar.

Sunderland’s European adventure continues next month with an away tie against Portuguese side Torreense in the Europa League.