Sunderland 1-0 AZ Alkmaar: French midfielder banishes Arsenal demons with winning spot-kick on historic European night at the Stadium of Light
Enzo Le Fée has revealed the mindset that drove him to step up and score the penalty that sealed Sunderland’s first European victory in 53 years, describing it as “the best way to react” after his miss against Arsenal just days earlier .
The French midfielder, who saw his spot-kick saved by David Raya in Sunderland’s 2-0 Premier League defeat to the Gunners on Saturday, kept his nerve in the 66th minute to convert from 12 yards and secure a 1-0 Europa League win over AZ Alkmaar at a roaring Stadium of Light .
A Historic Night on Wearside
Sunderland’s return to European football after a 53-year absence was always going to be an emotional occasion. The Black Cats had not played in a major European competition since 1973, and the sense of anticipation around the Stadium of Light was palpable .
Régis Le Bris’ side controlled much of the first half, with Le Fée himself coming closest to breaking the deadlock when his effort struck the post following a driving run and cut-back from Wilson Isidor . Kevin Danso also forced a save from AZ goalkeeper Jari De Busser as Sunderland piled on the pressure, accumulating 13 first-half shots in total .
The visitors, unbeaten in their Eredivisie campaign before this match, grew into the game after the interval and began to threaten on the counter. Kees Smit fired narrowly wide, and Robin Roefs was called into action to deny Mexx Meerdink .
The Decisive Moment
The breakthrough arrived in the 66th minute following a swift Sunderland counter-attack. Le Fée drove into the penalty area and was brought down by AZ substitute Weslley Patati, leaving referee Jérémie Pignard with no hesitation in pointing to the spot .
It was the same penalty spot, at the same end of the Stadium of Light, where Le Fée had been denied by Raya just four days earlier. This time, however, there was no mistake. The 26-year-old calmly rolled his effort into the bottom corner, sending De Busser the wrong way .
Speaking to TNT Sports after the match, Le Fée revealed the emotional words from teammate Daniel Ballard that steeled him before he stepped up to take the penalty.
“Daniel Ballard came to me and said, ‘We trust you. This whole fans lies on your back today. Do this for us, please.’”
“I had the same situation last year. I missed a pen in the game just after I had another pen and for me it’s the best way to react.”
“I felt like this place should be a goal and the keeper just before the pen showed me his right side, so I just decided to shoot there, and I’m very happy for the team and for the fans because they deserve it.”
The comments quickly went viral, resonating with supporters who had witnessed Le Fée’s dejection just days earlier and who understood the weight of responsibility he carried as he stepped up in front of the Roker End .
Le Bris: “We Trust Him”
Sunderland manager Régis Le Bris revealed after the match that he never considered handing penalty duties to another player, despite the miss against Arsenal .
“We trust him. He’s a good player. You can make mistakes because it’s the game. If you step up you can succeed, you can fail, it’s possible, but the quality of a player is to react and stay resilient, to show up again and Enzo is this kind of player.”
Le Bris praised Le Fée’s overall performance, which saw him lead the match in shots (four), touches in the box (eight), chances created (four), crosses (11), successful dribbles (4/5) and duels won (12/18) .
“He’s a great player. Even if he struggled a bit at the beginning of the game it shows you are always just on the edge. When he’s in a good place and I think he is he still has room for improvement he’s a fantastic player.”
From Villain to Hero
Le Fée’s afternoon had begun nervously. His loose pass in the opening exchanges was intercepted by Kees Smit, leading to a golden opportunity for Ro-Zangelo Daal, only for Robin Roefs to spare his teammate’s blushes with a crucial save .
But from that moment on, Le Fée grew into the game and became Sunderland’s most influential attacking outlet. His first-half strike against the post was the closest either side came to scoring before his eventual penalty heroics .
The celebration in front of the Roker End spoke volumes. Same end, same spot, different result. From that point onwards, Le Fée’s confidence returned, and he played a key role in seeing out a famous victory .
Surviving the Late Onslaught
AZ Alkmaar pushed hard for an equaliser in the closing stages, forcing Sunderland into a series of desperate defensive interventions. Dan Ballard, Danso and Roefs all made crucial blocks in quick succession, while Elijah Dijkstra cleared a Nilson Angulo effort off the line .
When the final whistle arrived, the Stadium of Light erupted. Sunderland had marked their return to European football with a victory, and Le Fée the man who had suffered penalty heartbreak just days earlier was the hero .
What It Means
The win ends a 53-year wait for a European victory on Wearside and sets a positive tone for Sunderland’s Europa League campaign. Next up is a trip to Torreense next month, but for now, the Black Cats can savour a night that will live long in the memory .
For Le Fée personally, it was a moment of redemption that spoke to his resilience. As Le Bris put it, the quality of a player is not just in his ability, but in his capacity to react and show up again .
On a historic night at the Stadium of Light, with Daniel Ballard’s words ringing in his ears and the hopes of a stadium on his shoulders, Enzo Le Fée showed exactly what kind of player he is.
