Bournemouth secured a historic 3‑0 victory over Sturm Graz at the Vitality Stadium, winning their first ever home match in European competition. The win, which came in the opening round of the UEFA Europa League, marked the club’s second consecutive triumph in the tournament and gave them a perfect start to their debut campaign.
The match opened with a flurry of chances for both sides, but it was the Cherries who struck first. In the 43rd minute, Brazilian striker Evanilson headed home a precise cross from captain Adam Smith, becoming the first player to score at Bournemouth in a European fixture. Smith’s delivery was described as “a wonderful cross” that found Evanilson’s head from 15 yards, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
Sturm Graz fought back in the second half, creating several opportunities. A corner in the 63rd minute saw their striker Jurgen Heil hit the woodwork, only to be thwarted by a follow‑up from Bournemouth’s goalkeeper. The Austrian side pushed for an equaliser but were denied by a mix of defensive resilience and a decisive save from the Bournemouth keeper.
Bournemouth doubled their advantage in the 76th minute when Brazilian Rayan fired a low, hard shot past the Austrian defence and goalkeeper Daniil Khudyakov. The goal came after a corner that had spilled into the box, allowing Rayan to slot the ball into the net with a single touch. The Cherries’ dominance continued into added time when former Huddersfield midfielder Jon Gorenc Stankovic was penalised for a foul on James Hill. Alvaro Rodriguez, a summer signing, stepped up to convert the spot‑kick, sealing a clean sheet for the hosts.
The 3‑0 result places Bournemouth fifth in the Europa League group stage table, ahead of their upcoming clash with AC Milan. The victory not only gives the club a confidence boost after a shaky start to the Premier League season but also demonstrates their ability to hold onto a lead in high‑pressure situations. With the next match scheduled for Thursday, the Cherries will look to carry this momentum into their encounter with the Portuguese giants.