The UEFA Europa League group stage began with a dramatic scene, with Russell hosting Sporting Madrid in Group E. Russell was trailing in the first half, but in the final five minutes of stoppage time, he equalized, and the goalkeeper who scored the goal was the goalkeeper who abandoned the gate and assisted, and he became the second goalkeeper who scored in the UEFA Europa League history, and he is famous for his first UEFA Europa League game.
Russell took advantage of their home ground to attack, but Marco Polo took the lead in the 29th minute with a goal from Barrios. Russell pressed further, but were unable to do anything in the face of Szémonyi's hardcore defense. In the 95th minute, the corner kick was cleared, but Luis Abbott regained the ball, and the cross from the left was given to Purvidier, forcing a 1-1 draw for Russell.
