UEL: Sunderland Come From Behind To Beat Torreense

Sadiki stunner sees Sunderland snatch late victory at Torreense

Noah Sadiki struck in stoppage time as Sunderland came from behind to beat Portuguese second-tier side Torreense 2-1 in Portugal and make it two wins from two to begin their Europa League campaign.

It was also a first European appearance for Sunderland defender Luke O'Nien...

Noah Sadiki struck a stoppage-time winner as Sunderland came from behind to seal a dramatic 2-1 victory over Torreense in Portugal, making it back-to-back wins to start the UEFA Europa League league phase.

After overcoming Lillestrom in their first-ever European fixture, Torreense, from the Portuguese second tier, hosted Premier League opposition for their first home game in UEFA competition; however, the match was played at the Estadio Municipal in Leiria, rather than their own Estadio Manuel Marques, which did not meet the required standards.

It was also a first European appearance for Sunderland defender Luke O'Nien, who almost marked the occasion with a goal when he headed wide from a deep corner early on.

The Black Cats thought they had broken the deadlock midway through the first half, only for Timur Tutierov's header to be disallowed for a soft foul in the build-up.

Sunderland's frustration deepened when Torreense's Volnei produced a stunning long-range strike against the run of play late in the first half.

Picking up the ball inside his own half, the defender was allowed to drive forward before cutting inside and curling a ferocious effort into the top corner, making his first goal for Torreense a memorable one.

Unable to hit back before the interval, Sunderland went close to an equaliser just before the hour mark, when Nilson Angulo's goalbound header forced Lucas Paes into a superb full-stretch save.

That proved to be Angulo's last involvement as he was withdrawn as part of a quadruple substitution that saw Regis Le Bris introduce Granit Xhaka, Enzo Le Fee, Reinildo Mandava and Nordi Mukiele.

The latter quickly made an impact, drilling in a low cross to pick out Jules Ahoka, who guided a downward header beyond the goalkeeper's reach.

How The Game Flow

With victory the ultimate aim, Sunderland's hopes of taking all three points appeared to have faded when a late penalty award was overturned following a VAR review.

Noah Sadiki in the 93rd minute 🫨 #UEL https://t.co/AN3wXNvIGZ

— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) October 15, 2026

However, there was still time for Sadiki to snatch all three points with a thumping first-time finish from Xhaka's lay-off to beat Paes at his near post, sparking wild celebrations among the travelling support as they marked their first away win of the season.

It is also just their second victory in major European competition since 1974, while Torreense have now won only one of their last four matches in all competitions as they target a return to Portugal's top flight.

Match Statistics