UEFA Europa League REVIEW 16 Sep 2026: Sunderland's European return ends in victory

Sunderland's first competitive European fixture in 53 years ended in the manner every home end had hoped for: a 1-0 win over AZ Alkmaar, settled by Enzo Le Fée from the penalty spot in the 66th minute. AZ substitute Weslley Patati brought down Le Fée as Sunderland broke, and the Frenchman made no mistake, a week after missing a penalty in the Premier League. AZ, unbeaten domestically this season, had the better of the closing stages without finding a way past a resolute home defence.

AC Milan's Europa League opener brought Benfica their first-ever competitive win over the Rossoneri: 2-0 at San Siro, Dodi Lukebakio's 16th-minute strike and a Jakub Kamiński finish in the 53rd doing the damage. Milan had the greater share of possession and the greater number of shots but could not find a way past goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin. Manager Amorim was blunt afterwards: "Benfica were the better team."

Ararat-Armenia's historic Europa League debut, the first time an Armenian club has reached the competition's main phase, was chastened by a 4-1 home defeat to Sparta Prague. Tobias Guddal headed in twice, in the 20th and 22nd minutes, before John Mercado made it three in the 53rd. Bruno Wilson's header in the 55th was the hosts' only reply, and substitute Patrik Vydra added a fourth for Sparta in the 71st.

Elsewhere, Lyon won 2-1 at Anderlecht through goals from Noah Nartey in the 8th minute and Keito Nakamura in the 22nd, with Mihajlo Cvetković's header in the 61st not enough for the home side. Bayer Leverkusen beat Celje 2-0 at the BayArena, Svit Sešlar turning the ball into his own net in the 15th minute before Facundo Medina volleyed home from a corner in the 74th. Jagiellonia, playing their first-ever Europa League league-phase match, led Olympiacos through Kajetan Szmyt's 20th-minute goal before Armando González levelled in the 43rd and Roman Yaremchuk headed the winner in the 84th. Omonia's first Europa League main-draw win since 2020 came from Jure Balkovec's strike in the 88th minute, beating Celta de Vigo 1-0 in Nicosia.

The day's two stalemates came in Bucharest and Graz. Hapoel Beer Sheva finished 0-0 with Dinamo Zagreb at a neutral venue in Bucharest, where Israeli clubs are currently required to play their home European fixtures. Sturm Graz and Rennes were also 0-0 at Liebenau.