Bengtsson equaliser denies Sunderland third straight Europa League win

Sunderland drew 1-1 away to Lech Poznan on Thursday as Leo Bengtsson’s second-half equaliser ended their winning start to the Europa League campaign. Timur Tutierov had put the visitors ahead in the second minute, but they could not add another goal before Lech recovered to take a point in Poland.

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The result followed Sunderland’s victories over AZ Alkmaar and Torreense, leaving them unbeaten with seven points from three matches. Their previous European outing had brought a 2-1 away win against Torreense. That success was followed by a 2-0 Premier League defeat at Bournemouth, making this another opportunity to respond in a different competition.

Regis Le Bris changed six players from the side that started at Bournemouth. Team news published by Yahoo Sports confirmed starting places for Nordi Mukiele and Granit Xhaka, who had both begun the Torreense match on the bench. Luke O’Nien and Dayann Methalie came into defence, while Habib Diarra made his first start of the season. Jules Ahoka partnered Xhaka in midfield.

According to Dominic Shaw’s match report carried by Yahoo Sports, Sunderland’s opener came after Lech goalkeeper Mateusz Lis underhit a pass across his penalty area. Nilson Angulo intercepted and supplied the cross for Tutierov to head in. Lech also threatened before the interval: Robin Roefs saved twice in quick succession from Patrik Walemark and Antoni Kozubal, while Daniel Hakans sent another chance wide.

Sunderland came close to extending their advantage when Lis stopped Xhaka’s shot and Malick Fofana struck the post from the rebound. Fofana later fired over, and Lis tipped a Mukiele effort over the bar. Those chances left the visitors without the second goal that would have increased their cushion before the closing stages.

Bengtsson brought Lech level in the 70th minute after Sunderland failed to clear a corner, driving his shot in from near the edge of the area. The substitute’s intervention cancelled out a lead the visitors had held for most of the match. Sunderland finished with one point rather than three, preserving their unbeaten European record but surrendering their perfect start.