Bournemouth beat Sturm Graz 3-0 in historic first European home match

AFC Bournemouth recorded a memorable 3-0 victory over Sturm Graz in their first-ever European match at Vitality Stadium on Thursday, continuing their impressive start to the Europa League campaign.

According to AFC Bournemouth’s official website, Evanilson, Rayan and Álvaro Rodríguez scored as the Cherries secured their second consecutive win in the competition, having beaten Real Sociedad 2-1 in their opening fixture.

Evanilson opened the scoring two minutes before half-time, meeting Adam Smith’s cross with a looping header to become Bournemouth’s first goalscorer in a European match at home. Sturm Graz threatened after the break, with Jürgen Heil striking the post before goalkeeper Đorđe Petrović denied Jacob Hödl.

However, Rayan doubled Bournemouth’s advantage in the 75th minute, capitalising on a goalkeeping error six minutes after coming off the bench. Rodríguez completed the scoring from the penalty spot in stoppage time after Sturm Graz captain Jon Gorenc Stanković handled James Hill’s follow-up effort. The attendance was 12,010, as Bournemouth celebrated a landmark European night.