Torreense 1-2 Sunderland: Feltes 37; Ahoka 67, Sadiki 90+3
There is much to admire about Sunderland. They were in League One for four seasons before making their way back to the Championship in 2022 under new administration. Then they made their way back to the Premier League last season and in the same campaign, qualified for Europe after 53 years.
Here after a frustrating game, Noah Sadiki scored in stoppage time against Torreense to secure a 2-1 win in Portugal, keeping Regis Le Bris’s side perfect, having also won their opening game against AZ Alkmaar.
Le Bris made seven changes to his starting lineup, keeping several key players in reserve ahead of the weekend’s league games. Luke O’Nien captained the side, while Jules Ahoka was handed his second competitive start and Timur Tutierov led the attack for his first appearance in the starting XI.
Sunderland controlled much of the opening period but struggled to turn possession into clear chances. Noah Sadiki struck the home defence with an early effort, and O’Nien headed wide from the resulting corner. Nilson Angulo later sent a promising ball across the six-yard box, but nobody arrived in time to convert it.
Tutierov appeared to have broken the deadlock when he headed in from O’Nien’s long throw, only for the goal to be disallowed after Omar Alderete was penalised for pulling an opponent’s shirt. It was a frustrating moment for Sunderland, who had enjoyed the better of the early exchanges without seriously testing goalkeeper Lucas Paes.
Torreense gradually grew into the contest and showed why they should not be underestimated. The Portuguese side had already caused a surprise by winning the domestic cup last season, defeating Sporting in the final, and they demonstrated their ability to punish a lapse in concentration.
With 37 minutes played, centre-back Volnei Feltes advanced into space as Sunderland backed away from him. He moved the ball onto his right foot before sending a superb 20-yard strike into the top corner, giving Robin Roefs no chance and putting the hosts ahead with their first attempt on target.
Sunderland needed a response after the break, and Torreense briefly threatened to make their task even harder when Manu Pozo found space inside the area. The visitors recovered, however, and began to apply more pressure at the other end.
Alderete lifted a free-kick over the crossbar before Angulo headed wide from a Malick Fofana cross. Trai Hume then delivered a low free-kick that Alderete flicked narrowly past the near post, while Paes produced an excellent diving save to deny Angulo. The rebound fell to Alderete, but he could not turn it home.
Le Bris made his move in the 59th minute, introducing Granit Xhaka, Enzo Le Fée, Nordi Mukiele and Reinildo. The changes brought greater urgency and composure to Sunderland’s play, and the equaliser arrived eight minutes later.
Mukiele delivered a cleverly weighted cross into the area, where Ahoka met it with a header that crept into the bottom corner. It was the 20-year-old’s first goal for Sunderland and a deserved reward for the visitors’ improved second-half performance.
Sunderland sensed an opportunity to take control. Ahoka was denied a second by Paes, while Chris Rigg’s follow-up effort was cleared off the line by Stopira. Mukiele dragged another shot wide as the pressure continued, and Sadiki struck the sidenetting before Xhaka fired over.
The visitors thought they had been handed a chance to complete the turnaround when the referee awarded a late penalty after Tutierov went down in the box. A lengthy VAR review followed, with the original decision eventually overturned after the officials concluded there had been neither an offside offence nor a foul warranting a spot-kick.
Sunderland refused to settle for a draw. In the third minute of stoppage time, Le Fée lifted a precise pass into the penalty area, and Xhaka laid the ball into Sadiki’s path. The DR Congo international waited for it to drop before connecting with a superb half-volley that flew past Paes and secured the victory.
