Bournemouth announce themselves in Europe with dominant 3-0 win

An impossible dream was realised in Boscombe on Thursday night as Bournemouth staged their first ever home fixture in European competition — and won it in style. Marco Rose's side swept aside Sturm Graz 3-0 at the Vitality Stadium to seal back-to-back victories in the Europa League, following their 2-1 success at Real Sociedad.

The result eases the domestic pressure on Rose after a humbling 5-1 defeat at Chelsea last weekend, which the head coach branded "a real slap in the face" ahead of kick-off. "Minus 17 to European dreams" read a banner in the Steve Fletcher stand, marking the journey from the foot of the Football League to a model, continental club. Elvis Presley's high baritone and Andy Williams' tenor replaced the usual dance hits on the public address system, marking a different type of occasion.

Evanilson's stunning header sets the tone

Bournemouth took the lead two minutes before half-time through Evanilson, who looped a stunning header from captain Adam Smith's cross over goalkeeper Daniil Khudyakov and into the net. At 16.3 metres, the Brazilian's effort was the furthest-distance headed goal in a major European competition this season, and his second goal of 2026-27 in his eighth outing in all competitions.

It was Smith, overlapping outside Ben Gannon-Doak, who supplied the first big chance, crossing for Marcus Tavernier, who cut in from the left and shanked wide in the 12th minute. Tavernier then thundered a curling effort against the post and saw a corner flicked on by Evanilson turned in on the line by Bafode Diakité — only for the goal to be ruled out for offside against the Frenchman in the goalmouth scramble.

Graz's Belmin Beganovic went down under Smith's challenge but was booked for simulation, though replays showed there was contact. The hosts made the most of their luck through Evanilson's header, which looped off the angle for the first European goal celebrated in Boscombe.

Rayan and Rodríguez seal it

Sturm Graz, fourth in this season's Österreichische Bundesliga, came out firing after the break. Simon Seidl's delivery to the back post found Jürgen Heil, who rattled the woodwork, with Djordje Petrovic producing a remarkable reflex save to repel Jacob-Peter Hödl on the rebound.

Rose's 70th-minute triple introduction of Rayan, Justin Kluivert and Ryan Christie proved decisive. Lewis Cook's corner was only punched as far as Rayan, who sent a right-footed shot on the swivel that squirmed through Khudyakov's grasp in the 76th minute. Justin Kluivert later stung the palms of the Russian goalkeeper as Bournemouth pressed for more.

Álvaro Rodríguez sealed the scoring from the penalty spot deep into injury time after James Hill was chopped down inside the area by Jon Gorenc Stankovic, sending the spot-kick down the middle.

History made at the Vitality

The victory carried historical weight. Bournemouth became the first English side to win their first two matches in a major European competition since Bolton Wanderers in the 2005-06 UEFA Cup. Rayan, at 20, is the youngest player to score in an English club's first two major European matches since an 18-year-old Jimmy Greaves netted for Chelsea in 1958.

English clubs are now unbeaten in their last 35 matches in major European competition against Austrian sides (W28 D7) since Arsenal lost 1-0 to Austria Wien in October 1991 in the European Cup. Bournemouth finished with an expected goals (xG) total of 2.68 from 24 shots to Sturm Graz's 0.36 from six attempts.

The Cherries welcome Serie A giants AC Milan to the Vitality next Thursday, before turning their attention to Sunday's Premier League clash with Sunderland — who also won in the Europa League on Thursday. Rose has spoken of the chaos of English football, particularly midfield areas that resemble a rolling maul, and the loss of Junior Kroupi and now Alex Scott have stretched his small squad. But on this gala night, Bournemouth's European homecoming staged the victory the occasion demanded.