Overview
- Sunderland beat AZ Alkmaar 1-0 at the Stadium of Light after Enzo Le Fée converted a 66th‑minute penalty to open their Europa League campaign.
- The club dominated the first half with 13 shots before the break and recorded roughly 3.0 expected goals from 20 attempts, but missed several clear chances that kept the scoreline narrow.
- Le Fée’s spot‑kick carried personal significance because he had missed a penalty days earlier and his conversion was described by teammates and the manager as a resilient response.
- Former PGMOL head Keith Hackett said the penalty was a “clear and obvious” refereeing error and criticised VAR for not intervening, creating a fresh controversy over the decision.
- Sunderland celebrated a symbolic return to European football while preparing to travel to Torreense in their next group fixture, with manager Régis Le Bris and goalkeeper Robin Roefs singled out for praise for the result’s immediate human and sporting impact.