Sunderland beat AZ Alkmaar 1-0 in Europa League return after 53-year absence

AZ Alkmaar opened their UEFA Europa League campaign with a 1-0 defeat at Sunderland on Wednesday evening. The Dutch side, managed by Lee-Roy Echteld, fell to a penalty converted by Enzo Le Fee in the second half after a costly error from substitute Wesley Patati, who fouled in the box while attempting to recover a lost ball.
Sunderland’s victory marked their first European competition match in 53 years, with Dutch goalkeeper Robin Roefs delivering a standout performance to preserve the clean sheet. Roefs denied AZ’s Ro-Zangelo Daal early in the first half after a defensive mistake by Le Fee, then saved a close-range effort from Mexx Meerdink in the 81st minute. AZ’s Kees Smit, returning from a minor injury, nearly scored in the 51st minute but saw his shot spin wide.
Echteld’s team created several chances, including a deflected effort from Daal in the seventh minute and a post strike by Le Fee in the 25th, but failed to capitalize. Sunderland nearly doubled their lead in stoppage time, but AZ’s defense held firm. The match was Sunderland’s first in the Europa League since 1973 .
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