Sunderland players could barely believe the wall of sound that greeted them after their historic 1-0 Europa League victory over AZ Alkmaar.

Sunderland players could barely believe the wall of sound that greeted them after their historic 1-0 Europa League victory over AZ Alkmaar.

Enzo Le Fée’s coolly taken second-half penalty proved decisive at a raucous Stadium of Light on 16 September 2026, delivering the Black Cats their first European win in 53 years. As the final whistle sounded, the scenes that followed left several players shaking their heads in astonishment at what the home support was chanting.

The night had already been special long before kick-off. Searchlights bathed the stadium in red and white for the first time in years, a giant banner declaring “New shores to conquer!” unfurled on the Roker End, and the players emerged to a deafening roar. Sunderland’s first competitive European match since 1973 carried huge emotion, and the 40,000-plus crowd delivered an atmosphere many described as among the loudest in the ground’s history.

Le Fée, who had missed a penalty against Arsenal just days earlier, stepped up in the 66th minute after being fouled by AZ substitute Weslley Patati. He sent the goalkeeper the wrong way, sparking wild celebrations. Sunderland then dug deep to protect the lead, with goalkeeper Robin Roefs producing crucial saves as AZ pushed late on. When the referee blew for full time, the players walked towards the stands expecting the usual cheers. What they received went far beyond that.

Supporters launched into sustained, emotional chants that mixed pure joy with the weight of the long wait. Traditional favourites rang out alongside new ones celebrating the club’s return to Europe. The Elvis Presley anthem “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” long a Sunderland staple, was sung with particular intensity, while choruses of “Ha’way the Lads” and songs marking the end of more than half a century outside continental competition rolled around the stadium. Several players later admitted they were taken aback by both the volume and the depth of feeling in the chanting.

Captain Granit Xhaka and others had spoken beforehand about the stadium being “on fire.” Afterwards, the reality exceeded even those expectations. Manager Régis Le Bris called it a “great night” for the club, the fans and the players, praising the collective effort that secured three points on a demanding occasion. The squad lingered on the pitch, soaking up the noise rather than heading straight down the tunnel.

For a group that included both experienced European campaigners and those tasting the competition for the first time, the post-match scenes provided a powerful reminder of what the club means on Wearside. The chants were not just celebration of one result; they carried the story of a rapid rise from League One to the Premier League and now Europe. Players who had fought hard for the clean sheet found themselves smiling in disbelief as wave after wave of singing continued.

The 1-0 scoreline was hard-earned against a well-organised AZ side that had started the Eredivisie season strongly. Yet the lasting memory for many inside the dressing room was not only Le Fée’s composure from 12 yards, but the remarkable atmosphere and the specific intensity of the fans’ chants that followed. On a night when Sunderland finally returned to European football, the supporters made sure the players would never forget it.