Match Report: Sunderland U21 2-2 RSC Anderlecht U21
Sunderland Under-21s kick-started their Premier League International Cup campaign, with an entertaining 2-2 draw with RSC Anderlecht Under-21s at the Stadium of Light.
⏱️ The points are shared in our opening #PLInternationalCup fixture. pic.twitter.com/lmKea3En40
— SAFC Academy (@AcademyOfLight) October 29, 2025
The Belgians took the lead four minutes in, as Samuel Ntanda scored the rebound following his missed penalty, but Brian Brobbey equalised five minutes later with a strike into the bottom corner.
Anderlecht retook the lead after 32 minutes, with a brilliant goal from Joshua Bethune, but the hosts pulled themselves level again late on, courtesy of Timur Tutierov.
Graeme Murty’s side were bolstered by the addition of four first-team players; Brobbey, Anthony Patterson, Luke O’Nien, and Eliezer Mayenda were all included, giving them valuable minutes as they looked to impress Regis Le Bris, who was watching in the stands and build match fitness.
Anderlecht was given an ideal opportunity to take an early lead, when a cross was deemed to be stopped with Archie Lightfoot’s hand, with the referee pointing to the spot. Patterson did well to get down to get down low to his right and make an initial save, but Ntanda was quickest to react and dispatched the rebound.
However, Sunderland were not behind for long, as Harrison Jones played a tidy ball into the path of Brobbey, with the striker driving an effort past Michiel Haentjens and into the bottom-corner.
Brobbey levels the contest at the SoL!
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— SAFC Academy (@AcademyOfLight) October 29, 2025
Yet, the visitors regained their advantage, as Amine Mahrough displayed quick feet to make space and find Bethune, who lined up a strike from 25 yards out, which flew past the diving Patterson – a strike of pure quality and one the ‘keeper would have done tremendously to stop.
Sunderland dominated the second-half with plenty of possession, but failed to capitalise on the dominance until Tutierov scored in the 80th minute.
A rapid counter-attack allowed Jack Whittaker to be released on the right-hand side, before playing a great pass into Tutierov, who cut back to evade the chasing defender and smashing home.
Back on level terms!
Tutierov fires home at the SoL
— SAFC Academy (@AcademyOfLight) October 29, 2025
O’Nien, with his first football since sustaining an injury in the Championship Play-Off Final in May, cleared a dangerous cross brilliantly in the latter stages of the game to ensure the points would be shared.
Both Brobbey and Mayenda played an hour in front of Le Bris, Kristjaan Speakman and captain, Granit Xhaka, before being replaced by Murty.
Brobbey, once again, demonstrated his physical abilities, holding the ball up well and using his body, while also displaying his finishing prowess by taking his goal superbly.
Mayenda played off his strike-partner, almost as a number 10, and his quality was on show, as the Anderlecht youngsters struggled to get the ball off him, however, he failed to bring much creativity in the final third and contribute towards a goal.
Sunderland U21s return to Premier League 2 action on Monday night, as they visit Nottingham Forest (7pm kick-off).
Sunderland U21: Patterson, Jenson Jones, Johnson (Kindon 60′), O’Nien, Lightfoot, Tutierov, Middlemas, Harrison Jones, Whittaker (Moore 81′), Mayenda (Walsh 60′), Brobbey (Jaydon Jones 60′)
Unused subs: Allan, Holcroft, Scott
RSC Anderlecht Futures: Haentjens, Bohamdi (Verggylen 67′), Engwanda, Antwi (Kana 45′), Akomodele (Van de Ven 67′), Mahroug, Flies (Ndao 84′), De Ridder, De Corte, Bethune, Ntanda (Djondo 67′)
Unused subs: Ginsberg, Djondo, Sylla
