Europa League – Kluivert scores and Lajan adds another goal, Bournemouth 2-1 Real Sociedad to a winning start.

The first round of the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League continued, with Bournemouth visiting Anoeta Stadium to challenge Real Sociedad. They ultimately won 0-2, achieving their first-ever victory in a European competition.

Bournemouth got off to a dream start in just 11 minutes: Adrian Truffaut crossed from the left, and Justin Kluivert tapped it in at the near post to open the scoring. In the 20th minute, Alex Scott's precise lobbed pass found Layan on the right side of the penalty area, who headed the ball into the net to extend the lead.

Cherries created several more threats afterward, but failed to convert any of them into goals. In the 25th minute, Marcus Tafnir's free-kick cross from the left side of the attacking third was headed towards goal by Evanilsson inside the box, hitting the right post. In the 31st minute, Scott's free-kick from the right side of the attacking third was floated into the box, and Antonio Silva's header went just wide.

At the start of the second half, the situation on the field changed dramatically: in the 57th minute, Lucan Betia cut inside from the right and delivered a cross, which Sergio Gomez curled into the net to pull one back. Bournemouth tried to respond five minutes later, but Evanilsson's long-range shot was immediately caught by Unai Marrero.

After that, Real Sociedad gradually took control of the game. In the 65th minute, Gomez delivered a through ball from midfield, and Gonzalo Guedes' curling shot was brilliantly saved by Djorge Petrovic. In the 85th minute, Arsen Zaharian played a diagonal pass forward, and Ori Oscarsson's low shot inside the box was also saved. In the 87th minute, Jon Martin's shot from the center of the box was blocked by Ryan Christie, and Oscarsson's follow-up shot was also saved by Petrovic. Ultimately, the match ended with Bournemouth securing the victory thanks to Petrovic's outstanding performance.

Image source: Internet/Bournemouth official website