Enzo Le Fee Scored a Penalty as Sunderland Beat AZ Alkmaar in Their First European Match for Fifty Three Years
Benfica recorded their first ever win over AC Milan at the seventh attempt on the same night, and Lyon won in Brussels.
Sunderland beat AZ Alkmaar 1-0 at the Stadium of Light on 16 September 2026 in the opening round of the UEFA Europa League league phase. It was the club's first European match since 1973, a gap of 53 years.
Enzo Le Fee scored the only goal from the penalty spot in the 66th minute after he was fouled in the box by AZ substitute Weslley Patati, according to The42. The French midfielder had already hit the post with a first-time shot in the first half.
AZ arrived unbeaten in six Eredivisie matches, according to VAVEL, and they came close to an equaliser when Kees Smit rolled a shot just wide in the second half. Sunderland, managed by Regis Le Bris, also had late chances to extend their lead, and a shot from Nilson Angulo was cleared off the line.
Elsewhere on Wednesday, Benfica won 2-0 at AC Milan with goals from Dodi Lukebakio and Jakub Kaminski. UEFA said it was Benfica's first win against Milan at the seventh attempt. Lyon beat Anderlecht 2-1 after Noah Nartey and Keito Nakamura scored inside 22 minutes, and Bayer Leverkusen beat Celje 2-0.
Nine more matchday one fixtures take place on 17 September 2026, UEFA said, including Crystal Palace against Lech Poznan, Real Sociedad against Bournemouth, Celtic against Ferencvaros and Juventus against NEC Nijmegen.