Noah Sadiki scored a last-gasp winner for Sunderland in the Europa League as they came from behind to beat Torreense 2-1 in Leiria.
Timur Tutierov had a goal ruled out for the Black Cats, who were unable to capitalise on their dominant first-half display, and the second division Portuguese side pounced, going ahead before the break thanks to a stunning top-corner finish from Volnei Feltes.
Sunderland had a flurry of chances after the restart, eventually levelling through Jules Ahoka’s header, and they continued to have opportunities until the death, with Sadiki snatching a stoppage-time winner on the half-volley.
Victory is the Wearsiders’ second in the Europa League having won their opener against AZ Alkmaar, and their attention now turns to Bournemouth in the Premier League on Sunday.
Regis Le Bris shuffled his pack from Saturday’s league defeat to Brighton with seven changes, including a second competitive start for summer arrival Ahoka and Tutierov started up front on his first competitive start for the Black Cats.
In the early stages, Sadiki smashed a strike into the home defence and, from the resulting corner, Luke O’Nien nodded wide at the back post.
No one was able to meet a tidy pass from Nilson Angulo across the six-yard area as the Black Cats continued to control proceedings but could not test goalkeeper Lucas Paes.
Tutierov found the net with a header when O’Nien’s long throw bobbled towards the forward at the back post, but the goal was chalked off for a foul in the area.
Sunderland were left stunned in the 37th minute when Torreense went ahead with their first attempt on goal as Feltes hit a thumping strike from outside of the area into the top corner.
The hosts had a great opportunity when Manu Pozo found space in the box immediately after the restart, but the Wearsiders quickly recovered.
Omar Alderete lifted a free-kick over the crossbar and Angulo glanced a header wide from Malick Fofana’s cross as Sunderland looked to increase the pressure.
Trai Hume’s low free-kick was flicked narrowly wide of the near post by Alderete and Angulo was denied by a fantastic diving save from Paes, with Alderete unable to tap home from the rebound.
Le Bris made a quadruple substitution in the 59th minute in a bid to change Sunderland’s fortunes and they equalised only eight minutes later.
Substitute Nordi Mukiele fired a cross into Ahoka and his header trickled into the bottom corner to earn his first Sunderland goal.
Ahoka was denied another by Paes and Chris Rigg’s strike from the rebound was headed away by Stopira before the Black Cats were on the charge again, with Mukiele dragging a shot wide.
Sadiki blasted into the sidenetting and Granit Xhaka fired over as the visitors searched for a winning goal.
Sunderland were awarded a penalty in the late stages, but following a VAR check at the monitor, referee Enea Jorgji overturned his original decision.
However, Sadiki had the final say in the third additional minute after receiving the ball from Xhaka and hit a fantastic half-volley to claim three points.