Bournemouth 3-0 Sturm Graz: Cherries win first ever home European game as they make it two from two in Europa League
Match report as Bournemouth win their first-ever home European game, beating Sturm Graz; Evanilson scored at the end of the first half to hand the Cherries the lead; Rayan and an Alvaro Rodriguez penalty added after the break; Bournemouth face AC Milain in the Europa League next Thursday
Thursday 15 October 2026 22:43, UK
Bournemouth's history-making season continued on Thursday as they played - and won - their first-ever home European match, beating Sturm Graz 3-0 in the Europa League.
It makes it two wins from two for the competition debutants and perhaps more importantly, they held on to a lead they took towards the end of the first half - something they have been unable to do in a poor start to the Premier League.
Evanilson will go down as the man who scored the first European goal at the Vitality Stadium and it was a thing of beauty. Adam Smith - captaining a team he joined in England's third tier 16 years ago - found him with a cross, with the Brazilian curling a powerful header past the goalkeeper from 15 yards out.
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Sturm Graz came out with intent at the start of the second half and could have equalised just after the hour. Jurgen Heil smashed the woodwork before Djorde Petrovic was needed to keep out Jacob Hodl's follow-up.
But the Cherries rode the wave and doubled their lead through another Brazilian, Rayan. It was a howler from Daniil Khudyakov, whose spilled save from a corner landed to the Bournemouth forward. His low, fizzing shot then sped through the goalkeeper's outstretched hands.
And in second-half added time, Bournemouth were awarded a penalty. Former Huddersfield man Jon Gorenc Stankovic was penalised for a foul on James Hill - also coming in the aftermath of a Bournemouth corner.
Summer signing Alvaro Rodriguez stepped up to chip the spot kick in for his first Bournemouth goal, sealing another three points. It puts the Cherries fifth in the Europa League league phase table ahead of welcoming Ruben Amorim's AC Milan to the Vitality next Thursday.
Key moments from the Vitality Stadium...
12: CHANCE! Smith curls in a wonderful cross for the incoming Tavernier, but he's defended well as his attempt goes wide.
29: NO GOAL! The ball is in the back of the net for Bournemouth - but it's immediately ruled out for a handball against Bafode Diakate.
33: OFF THE POST!! Tavernier's curling effort hits the woodwork.
41: PENALTY?! REFEREE SAYS NO! Sturm Graz have their best attack of the half, with calls for a penalty after Beganovic goes down. He is unfairly booked after, but looked to already be losing his footing as Smith made contact.
43: GOAL! Evanilson gives Bournemouth the lead with an incredible curling header from some distance.
63: OFF THE POST! SAVE! Heil hits the post with a thunderous effort from the right, before Hodl's follow-up is stopped by Djorde Petrovic's legs.
76: GOAL! Rayan's low, hard shot beats Khudyakov after some poor goalkeeping.
90+2: PENALTY SCORED! Stankovic fouls Hill as he strikes inside the box and Bournemouth are awarded a penalty. Rodriguez scores from the spot.
'That was a Bournemouth performance'
Bournemouth captain Adam Smith to TNT Sports: "It's been a long time coming. The fans were up for it, the players were up for it so we're very happy with the performance.
"It wasn't my best cross [for Evanilson's goal], but I put it into the area and what a finish from him. It's a great header. He's deserved it because he's worked very hard this season and many more to come from him.
"We deserved that bit of luck and from there, we went on to win the game. In the second half, we got a bit tired but the quality that came off the bench is great. We look forward to Sunday now."
On if this can be a springboard for Bournemouth: "It was very disappointing at the weekend [against Chelsea]. We let ourselves down as players, we know that. We had a chat with each other and got a reaction today.
"That's a Bournemouth performance right there, but the week is not done. We have a massive game against Sunderland and we need to get three points."
Rose: A deserved win - now we have to be consistent
Bournemouth head coach Marco Rose to TNT Sports when asked if he saw what he wanted from his team: "Yes. Performance wise, clean sheet, attitude, effort. A deserved win and now we have to continue and get consistent in this kind of thing. Sunderland is the next challenge.
"I believe in this team and I know we are always confident, despite being in a difficult situation [in the Premier League]. Even today, we changed some players.
"We could see that the squad is working, that everyone is keen to play, that everyone deserves to play and it's good for us for the next few weeks to have a competitive squad.
"Today, we won 3-0 and it's a really good result after a good performance, but we have to prove it [consistency].
"Alvaro Rodriguez did some steps the last three weeks which began with the national break. He worked really hard individually and you could see every step and I'm quite happy that he scored.
"If we stick together like this, if we have our fans then we are hard to play [against] and then it's hard to beat us. That's what we should take into the next game. It's getting tough one but it helps this kind of game, this result."
'This needs to be a springboard for Bournemouth's season'
Analysis from Sky Sports News' Mark McAdam at the Vitality: "Back-to-back wins in the Europa League!
"Not a classic by any stretch but one that will live long in the memories for Bournemouth fans; their first ever taste of European football at the Vitality - a real moment in history. A game they dominated across the pitch from start to finish.
"This needs to be the springboard for their season and their next match against Sunderland in the Premier League on Sunday. Win that and suddenly their season is off and running..."
