Noah Sadiki’s stoppage-time winner gives Sunderland Europa League win at Torreense
Noah Sadiki struck in the 93rd minute as Sunderland came from behind to beat Torreense 2-1 in Portugal, their first European away game in 53 years.
Noah Sadiki scored a dramatic 93rd-minute winner as Sunderland came from behind to beat Portuguese side Torreense 2-1 away in the Europa League league phase, according to a Sky Sports report published on 16 October 2026. The midfielder struck in the third minute of stoppage time after Granit Xhaka set him up inside the area, giving the Black Cats their second win of the campaign in what was the club's first European away fixture in 53 years. This Sunderland Europa League report looks at how the game unfolded, what was said afterwards and where the result leaves Régis Le Bris' side.
Noah Sadiki's late winner: how it happened
With the game heading for a draw, Sunderland kept pushing. In the 93rd minute (90+3), Xhaka touched the ball down to Sadiki in the penalty area and the midfielder made no mistake, sending the travelling supporters into celebration and turning a frustrating night into a memorable one.
It was the kind of goal that can define a European campaign. Coming so late, it denied Torreense a point they had worked hard for and gave Sunderland maximum points from their trip to Portugal.
Torreense 1-2 Sunderland: match report
The Black Cats had to survive a real scare. Torreense went ahead in the 37th minute through Volnei Feltes, who unleashed a 25-yard shot into the top corner, a strike that gave the goalkeeper little chance.
Sunderland responded after the interval. In the 67th minute, Jules Ahoka headed in a cross from Mukiele to bring the visitors level, setting up a tense final stretch in which Le Bris' team pressed for a winner and eventually found it through Sadiki.
Key moments
| Minute | Event | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 37' | Volnei Feltes scores from 25 yards into the top corner | 1-0 |
| 67' | Jules Ahoka heads in Mukiele's cross | 1-1 |
| 90+3' | Noah Sadiki finishes after Granit Xhaka's touch | 1-2 |
What Sadiki and Le Bris said
The match-winner put the team first in his post-match comments. "I'm really happy for the team because we showed great mentality today," Sadiki said, highlighting the character Sunderland showed after falling behind away from home.
Head coach Régis Le Bris focused on the historical significance of the occasion. "Back in Europe, 53 years later, in Portugal especially, and winning this game just at the end is really special," he said. For a club that had waited more than half a century for a European away trip, the manner of the victory made it even more meaningful.
Sunderland's night in numbers
- 53 years: the wait for a European away fixture before this trip to Portugal.
- 2 from 2: Sunderland's second win of the Europa League league phase.
- 90+3: the minute of Sadiki's winner, after Xhaka's touch inside the area.
- 25 yards: the distance of Volnei Feltes' opener for Torreense.
Where Sunderland stand in the Europa League table
Two wins from two games puts Sunderland among the early pace-setters in the Europa League league phase. According to Yalla Shoot data, the standings after the second round look like this for the two teams:
- Sunderland: 9th, 6 points from 2 games, 3 goals scored and 1 conceded.
- Torreense: 19th, 3 points from 2 games, 3 goals scored and 3 conceded.
Ten teams, including Sunderland, have six points from two matches, with the order between them separated by goal difference and goals scored. In the league phase format, each side plays eight games against different opponents, with the top eight going straight into the last 16 and the teams ranked ninth to 24th entering a knockout play-off round. An unbeaten start gives Sunderland a solid platform for the remaining six fixtures.
A welcome lift for the Premier League campaign
The European win could also provide a boost domestically. In the Premier League, Sunderland are 17th with four points from six games (one win, one draw, four defeats), according to Yalla Shoot data. Brian Brobbey has been their leading league scorer with three goals.
Balancing Thursday-night football with a difficult league position is a challenge for any squad, but a late comeback in Europe can build the type of confidence that carries into weekend fixtures. Le Bris will hope the "great mentality" Sadiki spoke about can translate into league points.
Background: Sadiki, Torreense and Sunderland's European history
Sadiki is a midfielder who joined Sunderland from Union Saint-Gilloise in 2025 and represents DR Congo at international level. In Portugal he delivered at the decisive moment, arriving in the box to finish the move.
Torreense are not among Portugal's traditional European names, but they earned their place in the competition by winning the Taça de Portugal final against Sporting, a major upset that brought them into the Europa League.
For Sunderland, the trip carried historical weight. Their previous European campaign came after their famous 1973 FA Cup win, which explains why the visit to Portugal was their first European away fixture in 53 years. A stoppage-time winner was a fitting way to mark the return.
What's next for Sunderland
Sunderland now turn their attention back to the Premier League, where climbing away from the bottom of the table is the priority, before resuming their Europa League campaign with six league-phase matches still to play. Follow their results and the full standings on Yalla Shoot's live scores page.