UEFA Europa League,
League Stage – 2
Torreense
TOR
15/10/2026
17:45
Sunderland
SUN
-
Venue
- Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa
-
Referee
- Enea Jorgji
Where to Watch Torreense v Sunderland: TV and online streams
Torreense versus Sunderland kicks off at 5:45pm BST (5:45pm local time) on Thursday, October 15 at the Estádio Dr Magalhães Pessoa in Leiria.
The match is live on TNT Sports 2 in the UK, with coverage starting at 5pm. In the US, it’s on Paramount+ at 12:45pm ET.
Preview for Torreense v Sunderland
Sunderland fans have waited more than half a century for this. On Thursday evening, the Black Cats play their first European away game since 1973 when they take on Portuguese second-tier side Torreense in the Europa League.
It will be a strange setting, though. Torreense’s 2,500-capacity Estádio Manuel Marques doesn’t meet UEFA requirements, so the game will be played at the Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa in Leiria, almost 100km north of Torres Vedras.
Sunderland’s first European game in more than five decades ended in a famous win. Enzo Le Fée’s second-half penalty gave them a 1-0 victory over in-form Eredivisie side AZ Alkmaar at the Stadium of Light last month. Domestic form has been a different story. Régis Le Bris’s side have lost four of their opening six Premier League games, and after a spirited 5-3 defeat at Manchester City before the international break, they were beaten 2-0 at home by Brighton last weekend.
The numbers on the road are particularly worrying. Sunderland are still searching for their first away win of the season, and they have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last eight away games in all competitions, conceding 16 goals.
Torreense are one of the great underdog stories in this season’s competition. They haven’t played in the Portuguese top flight since 1991-92, but they stunned Sporting CP in last season’s Taça de Portugal final to qualify for Europe for the first time in their history.
They have kept on surprising people since. Torreense won 2-1 away at Lillestrøm on matchday one, despite finishing with 10 men, and they are now dreaming of becoming the first club to progress from the league phase of a UEFA competition while playing outside their country’s top division.
Domestic form is less impressive. Torreense sit 15th in Portugal’s second tier with one win from seven games, and they were beaten 1-0 at Tondela last weekend by a 100th-minute winner in a game that featured four red cards.
Europa League Table
- Position 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 : Promotion – Europa League (Play Offs: 1/8-finals)
- Position 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 : Promotion – Europa League (Play Offs: 1/16-finals)
Team News for Torreense v Sunderland
Torreense will be without midfielder Nuha Jatta, who was sent off against Lillestrøm. Goalkeeper Adriel and defender Mohamed Ali Diadie were both dismissed at Tondela, but those were domestic red cards, so both are available in Europe.
Alejandro Alfaro, who scored the opener in Norway, is likely to continue in central midfield. Manu Pozo also scored against Lillestrøm and will hope to come back into the side after being an unused substitute at the weekend.
Head coach Luís Tralhão does not hold a UEFA Pro licence, so assistant Carlos Simões has handled media duties in Europe.
Sunderland have several injury problems. Dan Ballard, Brian Brobbey and Habib Diarra have hamstring injuries, although Brobbey and Diarra may be fit enough for a place on the bench. Romaine Mundle is a long-term absentee with a knee problem. Thomas Meunier is a major doubt after being forced off in the first half against Brighton with a thigh injury.
Le Bris also has to work around UEFA squad restrictions. Chemsdine Talbi, Jocelin Ta Bi, Melker Ellborg, Alan Browne and Aji Alese are not registered for the Europa League.
Expected line-ups for Torreense v Sunderland
Torreense: Adriel; Bruno, Diadie, Volnei, Vázquez; Oudrhiri, Alfaro; Pozo, Marques, Jean; Abubakari
Sunderland: Roefs; Mukiele, Danso, Alderete, Methalie; Xhaka, Sadiki; Fofana, Le Fée, Angulo; Isidor
Recent Form & Stats for Torreense v Sunderland
- This will be Sunderland’s first European away game since 1973.
- Sunderland beat AZ Alkmaar 1-0 on matchday one, and Torreense won 2-1 at Lillestrøm.
- Sunderland have lost four of their first six Premier League games and are 17th, one point above the relegation zone.
- The Black Cats are winless away from home this season and haven’t kept a clean sheet in their last eight away games in all competitions.
- All three of Sunderland’s competitive wins this season have finished 1-0.
- Torreense qualified for Europe for the first time after beating Sporting CP in the 2025-26 Taça de Portugal final.
- This is the first competitive meeting between the clubs.
Prediction for Torreense v Sunderland
Despite their slow start to the Premier League season, Sunderland ought to be too strong for a side struggling in the Portuguese second tier.
Torreense
0 – 2
Sunderland
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: 101greatgoals.com
