TORRES VEDRAS, Portugal (Interstat) — Sunderland scored twice after halftime, capped by a stoppage-time goal, to rally past Torreense 2-1 on Thursday in a match that turned after a strong first-half start by the home side. The visitors trailed for a half-hour before finding the goals that decided the game.

Torreense took the lead in the 37th minute when Volnei scored, with A. Oudrhiri providing the assist. The home side protected the advantage through the remainder of the first half, though the match grew more physical. Torreense’s J. Mutombo was booked in the 43rd minute, and Sunderland’s T. Hume received a yellow card in the 45th minute. Sunderland trailed at the break despite pressing for an equalizer before halftime.

Torreense’s goal came from Volnei’s finish, and Oudrhiri’s assist helped the home side take control. Sunderland tried to respond before the break, but Torreense’s defense held. The yellow cards for Mutombo and Hume added to the tension before the halftime whistle.

Sunderland’s bench then made an impact after the restart, with the visitors increasing their pressure as the second half wore on. Jules Ahoka equalized in the 67th minute, and Noah Sadiki scored the winner in the 90+3 minute. The late goal completed the comeback and left Torreense with no time to answer. Ahoka and Sadiki each finished with a goal for Sunderland, while Volnei’s first-half strike accounted for Torreense’s scoring. Oudrhiri recorded an assist on Volnei’s goal. Granit Xhaka and Nordi Mukiele also contributed assists for Sunderland after entering the match, giving the visitors added attacking thrust in the second half.

Sunderland made four changes in the 59th minute, with M. Fofana, N. Angulo, D. Methalie and T. Hume involved. Torreense then made two changes in the 63rd minute, with M. Pozo and J. Mutombo involved, and two more in the 73rd minute, when J. Marques and K. Zoabi entered. Torreense also used a substitution in the 90+2 minute, as M. Abubakari came on. Sunderland’s E. Le Fee was booked in the 79th minute, and Mukiele received a yellow card in the 85th minute after his assist.

The result gave Sunderland a 1-0 record in the competition and a 5-4-2 mark across all competitions. Torreense fell to 0-1 in the competition and 0-2 overall. Sunderland’s victory came after a mixed run of results, while Torreense remained in search of its first win of the season. The match was decided by Sunderland’s ability to convert chances late, after Torreense had controlled portions of the first half and taken a narrow lead into the break.

Sunderland entered the match after a busy stretch. The club had beaten Bristol City and Burnley, drawn with Southampton and Brentford U18, and lost to Brighton, Manchester City, Arsenal, Ipswich and Watford. Torreense had dropped its previous match at Tondela. Sunderland’s next match is at Bournemouth, with Leeds United, Ipswich, Coventry, Chelsea U18, Durham, a second Chelsea U18 fixture, Newcastle, Aston Villa and Tottenham also on the upcoming schedule.

The visitors’ late pressure proved decisive. Torreense had held the advantage for much of the match, but Sunderland’s second-half adjustments helped create the chances that produced the equalizer and the winner. Sadiki’s stoppage-time goal came after Ahoka’s earlier finish had pulled Sunderland level. Mukiele’s assist and yellow card came during the same late stretch in which Sunderland pushed for the winning goal.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Torreense 2, Sunderland 1. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Torreense with a 74 percent probability to win. Sunderland had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -1.5. The total score of 3 went under the over/under line of 2.75.