Overview
- On Thursday, October 15, 2026, Sunderland trailed 1-0 but Noah Sadiki volleyed a 93rd‑minute winner to beat Torreense 2-1 in Leiria.
- Jules Ahoka levelled in the 67th minute with his first goal for the club after Nordi Mukiele’s cross and a series of second‑half substitutions shifted the game.
- An 88th‑minute penalty initially given to Sunderland was overturned after referee Enea Jorgji reviewed the incident on the pitchside monitor.
- The tie was played at the Estadio Municipal de Leiria because Torreense’s home ground does not meet UEFA criteria, and Torreense qualified for Europe by winning the Portuguese Cup despite playing in the second tier.
- Sadiki’s goal preserves Sunderland’s perfect Europa League start with six points, increases pressure on a squad juggling heavy fixtures and a slow domestic run, and precedes tough away trips to Lech Poznan and AC Milan.