Sunderland made a winning return to European football after 53 years away as Enzo le Fee's penalty gave them victory over AZ Alkmaar on a memorable night at the Stadium of Light.

The decisive moment came in the 66th minute when Le Fee composed himself to calmly roll the spot-kick into the bottom corner having been brought down at the end of a swift counter-attack.

Roared on by a vociferous home crowd, the Black Cats had been much the better side in the first half of this Europa League opener but failed to take their chances - Le Fee coming closest with a shot that came back off the post.

But AZ arrived boasting an unbeaten record and showed why in a much-improved second-half showing.

Sunderland appeared to be clinging on in the closing stages before their Dutch opponents tired.

Regis le Bris' side should have extended their lead in the final moments, but missed chances were soon forgotten as the final whistle confirmed a first victory in European competition since 1973.

"It's a bit crazy to be honest," Sunderland defender Trai Hume told TNT Sports about the experience of playing in Europe.

"If you had asked me five years ago would be here, I would have said no and now that we are here I'm just trying to enjoy every moment.

"We have a great team, great staff and unbelievable fans. We fully deserve this moment and we are going to keep pushing this season."

The night could have been so different though had Ro-Zangelo Daal converted a brilliant early chance after being put through on goal by Kees Smit as AZ punished a slack Sunderland attempt to play out from the back.

But Robin Roefs made the save and, from that moment, the home side bossed the first half.

Kevin Danso saw a swerving shot pushed over the bar before Wilson Isidor created an opening for Le Fee with brilliant turn and cross, but the French midfielder's side-footed effort hit the upright.

With Sunderland piling on the pressure, half-time came at the perfect moment for AZ. When the game restarted, the visitors showed renewed vigour and their slick attacking play, previously squashed by Sunderland's relentless press, was suddenly evident.

Smit should have opened the scoring after showing great footwork in the box but dragged his left-foot shot wide before another Sunderland flurry.

However, AZ were getting back on top at the moment Noah Sadiki charged forward on the counter and fed Le Fee, who was felled by substitute Weslley Patati inside the box.

Le Fee duly converted and, while forced back, Sunderland largely kept AZ at arms' length until the final 10 minutes.

The Eredivisie side looked certain to score as the ball ricocheted around the penalty area, but Valdemar Byskov had two efforts blocked before Roefs made another vital save to deny Mexx Meerdink.

Patati then fired another golden opportunity over the bar with five minutes remaining.

But it was Sunderland who finished the stronger and Nilson Angulo will still be wondering how he failed to score from five yards out after a driving run from Brian Brobbey.

You have to go back to a second-round exit at the hands of Portuguese side Sporting in the 1973-74 Cup Winners' Cup for the last time Sunderland played in a major European competition.

The wait meant that for the vast majority of the home support inside the Stadium of Light this was a first; an occasion to savour regardless of the outcome.

And, after an understandable few early nerves, their side gave them a performance – and a result – to cherish.

There were no shortage of individual displays to galvanise them from Roefs with his crucial saves, Granit Xhaka pulling the strings from deep to full-back turned winger Trai Hume causing chaos in the opponents' box one moment and throwing in a crunching tackle to end an AZ break the next.

But at the heart of it all was Le Fee. The 26-year-old worked tirelessly off the ball, nicking the ball back for his side time and again, but it is in the final third that the Sunderland playmaker really comes to life.

So much of the Black Cats' threat revolved around him. His deft touches, clever passes and the uncanny ability to find space in and around a crowded penalty area gave the AZ defence a torrid time.

His goal came from the spot but only because he was bundled over when poised to finish from open play.

Regardless, Le Fee was a deserving match-winner and as "Can't Help Falling in Love" was belted out around the ground at the full-time whistle, how the goal came about was of no concern to anyone of a Sunderland persuasion.

"I am proud and pleased for the players, club and fans," Sunderland boss Le Bris told TNT Sports.

"When we scored, we played with freedom. We were really good but probably a bit exhausted after [playing] Arsenal at home a few days ago but we played with heart and togetherness.

"We played good football. When you create good momentum it is important to score. We are here to learn, to take the most of it again and keep going."