Nilson Angulo scored Sunderland’s equaliser with a direct free-kick in the 2026–27 Premier League opening match between Ipswich Town and Sunderland.
Ipswich had taken the lead at Portman Road through Emersonn after Julio Enciso and Emersonn combined. Angulo then levelled the match with a set-piece strike, becoming the first player since Marcos Alonso for Chelsea in 2021–22 to score his team’s first goal of a Premier League season directly from a free-kick.
The goal did not earn Sunderland a point. Ipswich substitute Jack Clarke scored in the 90th minute to give the home side a 2–1 victory.
Angulo is an Ecuadorian footballer who has played as an attacking wide player. His opening-weekend goal was a notable statistical milestone because direct free-kick goals are relatively uncommon compared with penalties, rebounds and open-play finishes.