Sadiki stoppage-time winner seals Sunderland comeback against Torreense

Noah Sadiki scored in the third minute of stoppage time to give Sunderland a 2-1 victory over Torreense in the Europa League on Thursday. Jules Ahoka had brought the visitors level in the 67th minute after Volnei Feltes opened the scoring. AS reported that the comeback left Sunderland with six points from their first two league-phase matches.

Watch the highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BhBwc8ph9k

Régis Le Bris began with a reshaped side that included Timur Tutierov on his first senior start for Sunderland. According to the Sunderland Echo, the Ukrainian had previously made one substitute appearance for the club, against Hull City in the Carabao Cup earlier this season. Luke O’Nien and Omar Alderete returned to the starting defence, while Ahoka and Malick Fofana were also selected as Le Bris rotated his resources.

Torreense took the lead in the 37th minute through Feltes, with match records from Playmakerstats confirming the defender’s first goal of this Europa League campaign in his second appearance. His strike gave the Portuguese side an advantage they retained at the interval, leaving Sunderland needing a second-half response to avoid defeat.

Le Bris turned to his bench, bringing on Enzo Le Fée, Granit Xhaka, Nordi Mukiele and Reinildo. The changes preceded Sunderland’s equaliser: Mukiele supplied the cross and Ahoka headed in. The midfielder subsequently had another opportunity from a Xhaka delivery, but Lucas Paes saved, keeping the teams level as Sunderland continued to look for a winning goal.

There was further uncertainty before the decisive finish. Tutierov went down in the penalty area and the referee initially awarded a penalty, while an offside flag complicated the decision. A video review ultimately left Sunderland without a spot-kick. The visitors therefore still needed to find a way through in open play as the match approached its conclusion.

They did so through Sadiki, whose late volley beat Paes after Xhaka helped the ball into his path. The goal completed the turnaround and prompted celebrations with the travelling supporters. Torreense, who had led at half-time and remained level into added time, were left without a point from the encounter.