Sport · Singapore Bureau
Benfica stun Milan; Sunderland shine in Europa League opener
Benfica secured a commanding 2-0 away victory against AC Milan in the Europa League's opening league phase round, while newly-qualified Sunderland upset AZ Alkmaar and Lyon defeated Anderlecht in Wednesday's continental action.
LSN Singapore ·
Benfica made a statement on European football's second stage by dismantling hosts AC Milan 2-0 in Wednesday's Europa League league phase opener. The Portuguese champions' clinical performance in the San Siro set the tone for a competitive night across the competition's inaugural round-robin format.
In another standout result, Sunderland marked their maiden appearance in European competition with a narrow win over AZ Alkmaar, showcasing the English club's credentials on the continent. The victory represented a milestone moment for the Black Cats' resurgent campaign.
Olympique Lyonnais also made their intentions clear with a victory over Anderlecht in Brussels, adding another convincing result to Wednesday's slate of matches. The French club's triumph underscored the quality on display across the opening fixtures of the new league phase format.
The league phase structure, replacing the traditional group stage system, has reshaped European competition this season. Wednesday's matches provided early indicators of which clubs could emerge as serious contenders in the revamped tournament format.