AC Milan suffered their first defeat under coach Ruben Amorim, falling 2-0 at home to Benfica on Wednesday as the Europa League group stage commenced. Meanwhile, Sunderland marked their UEFA competition return after a 53-year absence with a victory, and Lyon secured a win following recent Champions League disappointment.

Milan, seven-time European champions, had started the Serie A season with two wins and two draws but were outplayed by Benfica in their Europa League opener. Despite creating chances, Milan failed to convert, while Benfica maintained their unbeaten record this season under Marco Silva. The Portuguese club recorded their first-ever victory against Milan, overcoming prior losses in the 1963 and 1990 European Cup finals.

The breakthrough came in the 16th minute when Dodi Lukebakio delivered a precise left-footed shot into the bottom corner after maneuvering inside from the right flank. Benfica doubled their lead early in the second half through Jakub Kaminski, who capitalized on a cross from Souffian El Karouani. Amorim acknowledged the defeat but emphasized the need for tactical adjustments, saying the team was still building a foundation after just two months of work.

At the Stadium of Light, Sunderland celebrated a 1-0 win over AZ Alkmaar in their first European match since 1973’s Cup Winners’ Cup second round. The home side dominated early, with Enzo Le Fee hitting the post, but it took 65 minutes for the breakthrough. Sunderland earned a penalty following a foul by Wesley Patati on Le Fee. Le Fee, who had missed a penalty against Arsenal in the Premier League, converted from the spot, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way. Sunderland’s goalkeeper Robin Roefs preserved the lead with a key save in the 81st minute to deny AZ’s Valdemar Byskov.

Defender Trai Hume expressed pride in the team and the club’s return to European competition, praising the squad, staff, and supporters while vowing to push forward.

Elsewhere, Lyon moved past the disappointment of their recent Champions League playoff defeat by Fenerbahce with a 2-1 victory at Anderlecht. Noah Nartey opened the scoring for Lyon within eight minutes, followed by a deflected goal from Keito Nakamura, securing his first for the club since transferring from Reims. Anderlecht responded in the second half with a header from teenage forward Mihajlo Cvetkovic, but Lyon held firm amid strong pressure to claim the win.