Sunderland Edge Torreense 2-1 With Late Noah Sadiki Winner in Europa League

Sunderland secured a 2-1 victory over Portuguese second-division side Torreense, as Noah Sadiki scored a 93rd-minute winner to claim the club’s second Europa League victory. Regis Le Bris” side made hard work of their first European away fixture in 53 years, trailing at half-time after Volnei Feltes opened the scoring with a 25-yard strike for Torreense.

How Torreense Chased an Upset in Leiria

Torreense hosted the fixture at the Municipal Stadium in Leiria, situated roughly 47 miles from their home ground in Torres Vedras. The Estádio Manuel Marques holds just 2,431 spectators and failed to meet UEFA regulations, forcing the move to Leiria. The Portuguese club entered the match following a shock victory over Sporting in the Taca de Portugal final last season and a 2-1 win at Lillestrom on matchday one. Volnei put the hosts ahead by carrying the ball over the halfway line and sending a shot into the top right corner from 25 yards. Sunderland struggled to generate offense in the opening period, failing to record a single shot on target until the 57th minute, while a close-range header from Timur Tuterov in the 24th minute was disallowed for a foul in the box.

Le Bris Substitutions Lead to Two Late Goals

Manager Regis Le Bris’ introduced Enzo Le Fee, Granit Xhaka, Reinildo, and Nordi Mukiele midway through the second period to shift the momentum. The changes paid off when Mukiele delivered a cross that Jules Ahoka guided into the bottom right corner. Sunderland applied relentless pressure as the match wound down, surviving a VAR review that overturned a late penalty decision. In the third minute of stoppage time, Xhaka touched the ball down for Sadiki in the area, and the midfielder slammed a volley past the goalkeeper to seal the result.

Reactions and Upcoming European Travel

Regis Le Bris’ described the result to club media as a special and important symbol for the supporters. Looking ahead to the fixture list, Sunderland must manage travel fatigue before facing Lech Poznan in Poland, while local residents in Sunderland prepare for an annual national day of celebration on October 20.

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