Sunderland 1-0 AZ Alkmaar
UEFA Europa League — A European night to remember at the Stadium of Light
What a night for Sunderland.
After a 53-year absence from major European football, Sunderland finally returned to the European stage — and the atmosphere around the Stadium of Light was everything you would expect.
The Sunderland supporters were in full voice from the beginning, creating an intimidating atmosphere that AZ Alkmaar would have to deal with throughout the evening.
Remarkably, the only previous meeting between these two sides came all the way back in 2005, when Sunderland recorded a 1-0 pre-season friendly victory thanks to Tommy Miller.
This was also Sunderland’s first-ever competitive fixture against a Dutch side. AZ arrived with an unwanted record on English soil too, having lost all 11 of their previous matches in England.
Could Sunderland make it another difficult night for AZ?
First Half
3’ — Feeling each other out
As expected, the opening few minutes were a feeling-out process. Both teams were getting their first real look at each other and trying to establish who could gain the upper hand in the individual battles across the pitch.
5’ — AZ seeing plenty of the ball
Sunderland were happy to allow AZ to have possession early on and were sitting back rather than immediately trying to overwhelm their opponents.
Personally, I would have liked to see Sunderland start sharper and use the home crowd to their advantage straight away, but they were clearly trying to settle into the occasion.
7’ — HUGE chance for AZ!
Sunderland were sloppy playing out from the back and gifted possession to an AZ player.
AZ immediately drove forward, slipping in Daal, who got a shot away. It wasn’t the cleanest effort, but Sunderland’s goalkeeper had to make the save and the ball went behind for a corner.
AZ were beginning to get on top, winning corners and finding opportunities to test the Sunderland defence.
It wasn’t the start Sunderland would have wanted. They looked nervous, and AZ could sense that.
10’ — AZ on top
AZ were fully in control and Sunderland desperately needed to find some confidence and begin taking control of the game as the home side.
A route-one ball from the AZ goalkeeper almost created another opening, with Sunderland looking vulnerable defensively.
13’ — Sunderland finally threaten
Sunderland finally found their first real opportunity.
Enzo Le Fée found himself through and fired a difficult effort towards goal. It brought a routine save, although it wasn’t the most convincing piece of goalkeeping.
Moments later, another effort from outside the box — this time from Danso — forced an excellent save and another corner.
From that corner came another opportunity as Sunderland found a free header, but the effort agonisingly went wide.
Suddenly, Sunderland had found their mojo — and the fans loved it.
15’ — Sunderland growing into the game
The early nerves appeared to have disappeared.
Sunderland were becoming increasingly dangerous in attack and AZ were struggling to fully deal with the pace and movement of their opponents.
However, Sunderland also had to be careful.
With players pushing forward, AZ had the ability to counter quickly and potentially create overloads if Sunderland committed too many bodies forward.
18’ — AZ dangerous in possession
AZ continued to show their quality when they had the ball.
Their free-flowing, possession-based football was causing Sunderland problems as they looked to vary their attacks and work their way towards the box.
The big question was whether AZ could produce the necessary quality in the final third to punish Sunderland and silence the home crowd.
Sunderland, meanwhile, were looking to attack down both flanks, with their forwards making runs in behind and into the channels.
Trai Hume, Enzo Le Fée and Fofana were particularly sharp whenever they got on the ball.
25’ — OFF THE POST!
Huge chance for Sunderland!
As mentioned earlier, Sunderland worked the ball into Enzo Le Fée, who played it out to Isidor.
Isidor drove into the box before cutting the ball back towards Le Fée.
Le Fée struck it…
OFF THE POST!
So close to the opening goal.
26’ — Sunderland taking control
Halfway through the first half and Sunderland had completely changed the momentum.
They were now dominating possession and controlling the ball well.
But just like AZ, they needed that final piece of quality in the attacking third to turn their dominance into a goal.
Despite Sunderland’s improvement, AZ remained calm and were still very much in the game.
Whenever AZ had possession, they looked excellent, moving the ball quickly and connecting their passes.
Clasie and Koopmeiners were particularly impressive in midfield.
32’ — Sunderland still looking most likely
Sunderland continued to look the more dangerous side, creating another opportunity but again failing to turn it into a clear-cut chance.
35’ — Stalemate
The game had become more of a stalemate.
Both teams were getting on the ball but losing possession, with neither side able to maintain control for long periods.
Both managers would probably have been relatively pleased with their team’s performances, although they may have wanted more quality in the final third.
At 0-0, both teams remained dangerous.
Enzo Le Fée standing out
One player who continued to impress was Enzo Le Fée.
Operating in the No.10 role, he was constantly roaming into space, getting on the ball, starting attacks and looking for opportunities to shoot.
His set-piece delivery was also excellent.
If Sunderland were going to score, it felt increasingly likely that Le Fée would have something to do with it.
42’ — Sunderland pushing
Sunderland had won the battle of the stalemate during the previous 5-10 minutes.
The ball was now predominantly in the AZ half and Sunderland were really pushing for the opening goal.
They needed to maintain that tempo and rhythm because the more AZ had to defend, the more likely they were to tire and eventually lose concentration.
45’ — Le Fée goes close again
Almost from nothing, Le Fée picked up the ball just outside the AZ box and unleashed a powerful effort.
It flew narrowly past the side netting.
Once again, Le Fée was causing problems.
HALF-TIME: Sunderland 0-0 AZ Alkmaar
Half-time thoughts
Sunderland
They started nervously, but once they settled into the game they looked excellent and increasingly dangerous going forward.
The big question for the second half was whether Sunderland could find that final bit of quality to finish their chances.
They had created enough to feel they should be ahead.
AZ Alkmaar
AZ looked excellent in possession, linking up well and finding ways through Sunderland’s press.
They too needed more quality in the final third.
Their early opportunity for Daal showed exactly what they were capable of, and they could arguably have been ahead themselves.
However, AZ couldn’t allow Sunderland to continue building momentum.
They needed to find a way to give their defence some relief.
Second Half
AZ made a change at the break, with Oufkir coming off and Weslley Patati coming on.
From the first minute of the second half, AZ started on the front foot again, looking to dictate possession.
49’ — Sunderland forced into a change
Alderete was forced off, seemingly with a hamstring issue.
Dan Ballard came on, ready to make his European competition debut.
50’ — AZ start strongly
AZ were dominating possession and had started sharply.
They were tenacious in the tackle and aggressive when trying to win the ball back.
Sunderland were being pressed heavily and AZ looked increasingly likely to find the breakthrough.
51’ — AZ go close
Smit produced some excellent intricate control to escape a Sunderland player before getting a fierce shot away.
The effort curled away from goal, but it was another warning for Sunderland.
52’ — Sunderland respond
The game flipped once again.
Sunderland suddenly found success going forward, attacking with more freedom and getting shots and headers towards the AZ goal.
However, they still needed more quality to really test the goalkeeper.
55’ — Brilliant game for the neutral
What an excellent game this was becoming.
The only thing missing was a goal.
This was certainly not a dull 0-0.
Both teams were pushing for the victory and the game remained open and exciting.
57’ — Sunderland fans on edge
The Sunderland supporters were enjoying every attack but there was also a sense of nervousness whenever AZ had the ball and moved forward.
The home crowd knew AZ were capable of creating something, and Sunderland’s defence needed to remain strong.
60’ — Physical battle
The game had become increasingly physical.
Tackles were flying in and fouls were being given away, resulting in a more stop-start encounter.
With both managers making tactical changes, the game threatened to slow down before potentially opening up again as both sides searched for that second wind.
62’ — AZ comfortable, but not hurting Sunderland
AZ looked extremely comfortable in possession.
However, despite having plenty of the ball, they weren’t doing enough to really hurt Sunderland.
And then came the game’s defining moment…
63’ — PENALTY TO SUNDERLAND!
Sunderland broke quickly after AZ had possession around the edge of their box.
The ball found Enzo Le Fée, who drove into the area.
As he went to shoot, his ankle was caught by an AZ player.
The referee pointed to the spot.
Penalty to Sunderland!
65’ — GOOOOOOAL!
ENZO LE FÉE!
Cool as you like.
Le Fée stepped up and dispatched the penalty with confidence to give Sunderland the lead.
Sunderland 1-0 AZ Alkmaar.
Immediately after the goal, Sunderland made a triple substitution, bringing fresh attacking legs onto the pitch.
Fofana, Hume and Isidor were replaced as Sunderland looked to add even more energy to their attack.
AZ now had to find a way back into the game.
They needed to regain control of possession and, more importantly, do something with it in the attacking third.
For Sunderland, the job now belonged to the defence.
Stay focused.
Stay organised.
Manage the game.
70’ — Sunderland dangerous again
It was almost a carbon copy of the first half.
AZ started brightly, but suddenly Sunderland sparked into life and looked dangerous again.
Their pace in attack was causing AZ problems, with the Dutch side not looking entirely convincing defensively even when they managed to deal with the threat.
75’ — Sunderland managing the game
Sunderland were managing the game well.
They were slowing things down when necessary, finding their passes and taking valuable seconds off the clock.
At the same time, they were still looking for an opportunity to find a second goal.
The Sunderland fans had gone slightly quieter.
There was now a feeling around the stadium that AZ weren’t out of the game and another opportunity for the visitors would come.
80’ — Sunderland under pressure
The game was slowly changing.
Sunderland had gone from pushing for a second goal to sitting deeper and allowing AZ more possession.
The nerves around the Stadium of Light were beginning to rise.
The final ten minutes were going to seriously test Sunderland’s defence.
81’ — HOW IS IT NOT 1-1?!
AZ produced a triple chance inside the Sunderland penalty area.
Bodies were flying everywhere as Sunderland threw themselves in front of everything.
Somehow, Sunderland survived.
AZ really should have scored.
Their manager Echteld was demanding everything from his players.
They were still in the game and giving up was not an option.
85’ — AZ dominating possession
AZ were dominating the ball, but they weren’t hurting Sunderland enough.
Their slow build-up was allowing Sunderland to maintain their defensive shape and close the gaps.
AZ needed to speed things up.
Faster attacks could potentially pull Sunderland’s defenders out of position and create the openings they were searching for.
Sunderland were also losing some of their bite going forward.
When the defence cleared the ball, their attackers weren’t holding it up particularly well, allowing AZ to immediately return the ball towards the Sunderland goal.
89’ — HOW HAVE SUNDERLAND NOT SCORED?!
Another huge Sunderland opportunity!
Brian Brobbey drove into the box from the right and the ball eventually came across the area.
Somehow, Sunderland couldn’t find the finish.
Anguissa, Brobbey and Le Fée were all involved, but the ball stayed out.
Still 1-0.
90’ — Three minutes to hold on
The fourth official indicated three minutes of added time.
Just three more minutes for Sunderland to hold on and complete an incredible return to European football.
FULL-TIME: Sunderland 1-0 AZ Alkmaar
Final Analysis
Sunderland
It was almost a carbon copy of both halves.
Sunderland started slowly and nervously before eventually finding their rhythm and becoming an attacking, flowing and dangerous team.
The biggest thing Sunderland need to work on is being more ruthless.
They had enough chances to potentially win this game by three, four or even five goals.
But that lack of ruthlessness also left the door open for AZ.
The visitors had opportunities of their own and could have found an equaliser — or potentially even turned the game around.
Ultimately, Sunderland did enough to get over the line.
And what a way to welcome themselves back to European football.
AZ Alkmaar
AZ are a fantastic footballing team to watch.
Their possession play, movement and ability to link up through the midfield were impressive.
However, they needed to do more in the attacking third.
They had opportunities to punish Sunderland but lacked the quality required in front of goal.
They could have scored enough to take a point, and perhaps even put themselves in a position to win the game.
There is plenty for both teams to work on.
But tonight belongs to Sunderland.
After 53 years away, the Mackems are back in European football — and they’ve started their campaign with a victory.
That win could provide huge confidence and momentum as they continue their European journey.
⭐ Man of the Match — Enzo Le Fée
Enzo Le Fée was outstanding.
Almost every dangerous Sunderland attacking move seemed to involve him.
He constantly found space in the No.10 role, created opportunities, carried the ball forward and caused AZ problems throughout the night.
And, of course, he stepped up when it mattered most.
A confident penalty provided the winning goal and capped off an excellent individual performance.
A European night to remember for Sunderland.
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