Sunderland Fight Back to Beat Torreense 2-1 in Europa League
Sunderland came from behind to beat Torreense 2-1 in Leiria, with Noah Sadiki scoring in stoppage time for the club’s second Europa League win. Torreense had led through Volnei Feltes, but Jules Ahoka equalised after Sunderland brought on four regular first-team players. The match was Sunderland’s first European away fixture in 53 years.
Sunderland’s first European away match in 53 years turned into a late fightback in Leiria. Torreense vs Sunderland ended 2-1, with Noah Sadiki scoring in stoppage time to give the visitors their second Europa League win.
Torreense took the lead through Volnei Feltes before Jules Ahoka equalised for Sunderland. Sadiki settled the match with a late finish after Granit Xhaka touched the ball into his path.
The result came after Sunderland struggled to create a shot on target until the 57th minute. The visitors had made seven changes, then brought on regular first-team players as they chased the game.
Late changes turn the match
Torreense stunned Sunderland in the 37th minute. Centre-back Feltes carried the ball forward and struck from 25 yards, finding the top-right corner. It was the Portuguese second-division side’s first attempt on goal, ESPN reported.
Sunderland had thought they scored earlier when Timur Tuterov headed in from Luke O’Nien’s long throw. The referee ruled it out for a foul in the area.
The visitors raised the pressure after the break, but goalkeeper Lucas Paes denied an effort from Nilson Angulo. Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris then made a quadruple substitution, sending on Enzo Le Fee, Xhaka, Reinildo and Nordi Mukiele.
The change brought a response. Mukiele crossed for Ahoka, who headed the ball into the bottom corner in the 67th minute. Sunderland continued to press, but a penalty awarded late in the match was overturned after a VAR review.
Then Sadiki found the winner. Xhaka laid the ball into the area and the midfielder struck it into the net in the third minute of added time.
Torreense’s European home away from home
The match took place at the Municipal Stadium in Leiria, not Torreense’s own ground. The club’s Estadio Manuel Marques has a capacity of 2,431 and does not meet UEFA regulations, Sky Sports reported.
Torreense are playing in the Europa League after beating Sporting in the Taca de Portugal final last season. The club had also won 2-1 at Lillestrom in its first match of the competition.
Before the game, Torreense director of football and CEO Andre Sabino described the occasion as a landmark for the club. He said the team did not want merely to take part, adding: “We want to compete.”
The venue change meant Torreense could not host the European fixture in its own town, but the match still brought Sunderland supporters to Portugal for a rare European away trip. For the club, the night offered a test against a side with a much longer European history—and a chance to measure itself beyond the domestic second division.
Sunderland’s second Europa League victory came through Sadiki’s stoppage-time goal, reported in the match account as arriving in the 90+3 minute.
