Sunderland survived a huge scare as they came from behind to clinch back-to-back Europa League victories with a 2-1 win over Torreense following Noah Sadiki’s 93rd-minute winner.
Regis Le Bris' side made hard work of their first European away fixture in 53 years, trailing at half-time to the Portuguese second division club, who took a shock lead through centre-back Volnei Feltes' outstanding strike from 25 yards that nestled in the top right corner.
Sunderland were frustrated during the first-half when Timur Tuterov's close-range header from Luke O'Nien's long throw was ruled out for a soft foul, but it was no excuse for a poor performance, failing to have a shot on target until the 57th minute.
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Who are Torreense?
- Torreense play in Portugal's second division and haven't been in the top flight since 1992.
- They qualified for the Europa League with a shock victory over Sporting in the Taca de Portugal final last season and won 2-1 at Lillestrom in their first game.
- The club is located 35 miles north of Lisbon but as their 2,431-capacity home at Estadio Manuel Marques does not pass UEFA regulations, they will play matches almost 47 miles away at the Municipal Stadium in Leiria.
- They are managed by Luis Tralhao, whose brother Joao is an assistant to Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid.
Le Bris had made seven changes and was forced to bring on regular first-teamers Enzo Le Fee, Granit Xhaka, Reinildo and Nordi Mukiele midway through the second period to turn the game.
Mukiele provided a deserved equaliser, crossing for Jules Ahoka, who used the pace on the delivery to guide the ball back from where it came and into the bottom right corner.
Sunderland were denied a late penalty after a VAR check, but their relentless second-half pressure finally paid off in stoppage time. Xhaka touched the ball down for Sadiki in the area and he slammed a shot into the net before jumping into the away end to celebrate with their jubilant supporters.