Sunderland’s perfect Europa League start ended in a 1-1 draw at Lech Poznań after substitute Bengtsson cancelled out Tutierov’s second-minute header. Sunderland had 25 shots to Lech’s 16 but stayed unbeaten in Europe, moving to seven points from three league-phase matches.
Poznań, Poland: Sunderland scored inside two minutes, hit the woodwork twice and still left without a win. It was the first time this season in Europe that Regis Le Bris’s side had failed to take three points.
Tutierov strikes inside two minutes
Sunderland pressed from the first whistle and profited from a mistake by Lech goalkeeper Mateusz Lis. Nilson Angulo won the ball and crossed, and Tutierov, the 21-year-old who spent last season on loan at Exeter, headed in from the middle of the area. It was his first goal for Sunderland.
The visitors kept coming. Robin Roefs had to make an early double save at the other end, but Sunderland created the better chances. Malick Fofana struck the post and Angulo also hit the woodwork as Sunderland pressed for a second.
Bengtsson equalises from a corner
That second goal never arrived, and Lech made them pay. In the 70th minute a corner was not cleared, and Bengtsson, on as a substitute, fired a finish past Roefs at his near post. It was Lech’s first goal in this season’s Europa League after they had lost their first two matches 4-0.
Sunderland kept pressing in the closing stages. Substitute Chris Rigg curled a 20-yard effort just wide in the 82nd minute, and the visitors finished with 25 shots, 11 of them on target, against 16 and six for Lech.
A point, and a lesson
Le Bris said afterwards that his side deserved a second goal and that the momentum swung quickly once Lech levelled. The draw leaves Sunderland unbeaten in Europe with seven points from three games, while Lech have one.
Le Bris made six changes from the side that lost to Bournemouth in the league, a 2-0 defeat in which Kevin Danso was sent off.
Result summary: Lech Poznań 1-1 Sunderland (UEFA Europa League, league phase, matchday 3, Thursday 22 October 2026). Goals: Bengtsson 70’ for Lech; Tutierov 2’ for Sunderland.
