FOOTBALL – AC Milan revived their Uefa Europa League campaign with a commanding 4-0 victory over RB Salzburg, as Alphadjo Cisse scored a superb hat-trick to end the hosts’ 15-match unbeaten run across all competitions.
The 19-year-old striker delivered a clinical performance at the Red Bull Arena, scoring twice before half-time and completing his treble early in the second period to put Milan firmly in control.
Elsewhere, Noah Sadiki scored a last-gasp winner for Sunderland as they came from behind to beat Torreense 2-1 in Leiria.
The victory was Sunderland’s second in the tournament having won their opener against AZ Alkmaar.
Milan, who had opened their league-stage campaign with a 2-0 defeat by Benfica at San Siro, made a strong response with an attacking display that exposed Salzburg’s defensive weaknesses and punished costly mistakes.
Cisse opened the scoring in the 15th minute, meeting a floated cross from Omari Hutchinson with a well-placed header.
Salzburg believed they had restored parity eight minutes later when Haris Tabakovic converted Leandro Morgalla’s cross, but the goal was ruled out after the ball had crossed the touchline.
The visitors doubled their advantage in the 32nd minute when Cisse finished from close range after Davide Bartesaghi delivered the ball into his path.
Adrien Rabiot had initiated the move with an incisive pass through the Salzburg defence.
Cisse completed his hat-trick four minutes after the restart, running onto Rabiot’s low cross from the left to score from inside the six-yard box.
A lengthy video assistant referee review confirmed the forward was onside, allowing Milan to celebrate their third goal.
Salzburg struggled to regain momentum as Milan maintained their attacking threat.
Substitute Gonçalo Ramos added a fourth in the 72nd minute after Ardon Jashari dispossessed Bartosz Mazurek during the hosts’ attempt to play out from the back.
Milan’s otherwise impressive evening ended on a sour note when Filippo Terracciano was sent off in the 83rd minute for pushing Dominik Schmid to the ground as the Salzburg player advanced on a counter-attack.
The dismissal forced the visitors to finish with 10 men.