Europa League Matchday 1: Benfica stun Milan, Sunderland mark European return with win
On Wednesday, 16 September, the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League league phase kicked off, headlined by Benfica's landmark away win over AC Milan and Sunderland's first European victory since 1973.
Benfica shock Milan
Portuguese side Benfica claimed a historic 2-0 away win over Italian giants Milan — according to UEFA, their first-ever victory over the Rossoneri in seven meetings. Dodi Lukébakio opened the scoring in the 16th minute with a driving run and finish, before Jakub Kamiński doubled the lead in the 53rd.
Sunderland return to Europe with a win
English club Sunderland, playing in Europe for the first time since 1973 according to UEFA, beat AZ Alkmaar 1-0 at home. Enzo Le Fée converted the only goal from the penalty spot in the 66th minute. Balkanweb reports that AZ's Brobbey and Angulo later squandered a clear chance in front of an open goal.
Lyon and Leverkusen keep rolling
Lyon won 2-1 away at Anderlecht, with Noah Nartey and Keito Nakamura scoring in the first half before Mihajlo Cvetković pulled one back for the hosts. Bayer Leverkusen beat Celje 2-0 at home, helped by an own goal and a strike from Medina in the 74th minute.
Olympiacos come from behind, Sparta rout Ararat-Armenia
Greek club Olympiacos trailed after Szmyt's goal in the 20th minute but turned the match around to win 2-1 against Jagiellonia, with goals from González (43rd) and Yaremchuk. Sources differ slightly on the timing of the second goal — UEFA cites the 83rd minute, Terrikon the 84th. Sparta Prague thrashed Ararat-Armenia 4-1 away in Yerevan, with Tobias Guddal scoring twice.
Other results
Sturm Graz vs Rennes and Hapoel Beer Sheva vs Dinamo Zagreb both ended goalless. Cypriot club Omonia beat Celta 1-0 through a late Balkovec goal in the 88th minute — per UEFA, their first win in the competition proper since December 2020. Elsewhere, Juventus (5-0 vs NEC Nijmegen), Crystal Palace (4-0 vs Lech Poznań), Beşiktaş (4-1 vs Marseille) and European newcomers Bournemouth and Torreense all secured opening victories.
