Bournemouth beat Sturm Graz to stay perfect in Europe

Bournemouth beat Sturm Graz at Bournemouth Stadium on 15 October to make it two wins from two in the Europa League.

Evanilson, Rayan and Alvaro Rodriguez all scored in the Matchday 2 tie in the 2026/27 league phase. The home win followed victory away at Real Sociedad on the opening matchday, according to The Guardian.

Evanilson opened the scoring in the first half with a header. Adam Smith created the chance, setting up the striker for the finish. The goal went into club history as the first European goal celebrated in Boscombe, the neighbourhood around Bournemouth's home.

Rayan doubled the lead after coming off the bench. The substitute needed only six minutes to make his mark, driving home from close range. It was a simple finish, struck early and kept low. Two goals gave Bournemouth room to breathe.

Alvaro Rodriguez added the third Bournemouth goal in injury time from the penalty spot. A penalty, a free shot from 12 yards awarded after a foul in the box, is football's clearest chance. Rodriguez stayed calm to score.

Bournemouth were led by head coach Marco Rose. The tie, listed by UEFA as a Matchday 2 fixture, kicked off at 8:00 p.m. local time in Bournemouth. The clubs had never faced each other before, which added to the sense of occasion. Sturm Graz arrived after a Matchday 1 draw with Rennes, while Bournemouth had beaten Real Sociedad.

The Europa League league phase can be confusing for new followers. Think of it as the opening round, where every team plays a set of matches and collects points to reach the knockout rounds. Two wins from two is a strong start, nothing more and nothing less. It keeps Bournemouth among the early pace-setters.

What makes this stand out is how comfortable Bournemouth looked on a historic night. A first home game in Europe could easily bring nerves. Instead there was a first-half header, a spark from the bench and a late spot-kick, three different routes to the same joy. For fans, this means shared memory. Strangers will talk about Evanilson's header for years.

Live text commentary and stats were available through BBC Sport, with BBC Solent Sport broadcasting commentary on the night. ESPN also listed the AFC Bournemouth v SK Sturm Graz tie with live score and highlights.