Enzo Le Fée penalty gives Sunderland Europa League win over AZ
Sunderland claimed a hard-fought Europa League league-stage win against AZ Alkmaar, with Enzo Le Fée proving the match-winner from the penalty spot. After failing from 12 yards earlier in the contest, the French midfielder made amends by dispatching his second effort to seal the result. The victory gives Sunderland a strong start in the league phase of the competition, while AZ Alkmaar will look to regroup after the away defeat.
Read the full story at theguardian.comA penalty-winning goal is rarely more satisfying than when the same player has already missed one in the same match, and Le Fée's redemption moment gave Sunderland a valuable three points in the Europa League league stage. For a promoted side finding its feet in European competition, beating an experienced Dutch opponent at home provides both a confidence lift and a tangible foothold in the standings. AZ, meanwhile, will view this as a missed opportunity to assert themselves in a wide-open league phase.
Context added by Socc360, not by theguardian.com.
Data source: theguardian.com (via Socc360). Last updated .
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