Bournemouth make European debut count with 2-1 win at Real Sociedad
Bournemouth marked their first-ever UEFA competition match with a 2-1 win over Real Sociedad in San Sebastián, extending an impressive away record that now includes only one defeat in 90 minutes since December.
Marco Rose’s side could not have asked for a better start to their European adventure.
Match highlight
Justin Kluivert thought he had scored Bournemouth’s first continental goal when he finished from an Adrien Truffert pass, only for the offside flag to go up.
A lengthy VAR review followed, and the goal was eventually given after Kluivert was judged to have been behind the final defender. The Dutch forward had his moment, and Bournemouth had their early lead.
The visitors carried that momentum into the 20th minute. Alex Scott delivered an excellent ball into the area and Rayan met it with a precise header into the far corner to make it 2-0.
Bournemouth were in control for much of the first half and nearly added another before the half-hour. Evanilson got his head to a cross but could only send his effort against the post. Scott then passed up another good opening by firing over the bar.
Bournemouth had entered the match with a strange Premier League record: they were the first team in the competition’s history to lead in each of their first four league games without winning any of them, after three draws and one defeat. In Spain, they looked determined to avoid a similar outcome.
Real Sociedad improved after the break and found a route back into the contest in the 58th minute. Sergio Gómez’s cross evaded everyone in the box and drifted into the far corner past Đorđe Petrović.
The goal lifted the home crowd. Gonçalo Guedes struck fiercely from the edge of the area, but Petrović made the save. Mikel Oyarzabal then had a good chance to equalise but sent his effort over the crossbar.
Sociedad pressed late on, with Orri Óskarsson denied from close range by Petrović. The Icelandic forward had another opening in stoppage time, but the Bournemouth goalkeeper was again equal to it.
Bournemouth held on for a landmark result and Rose’s first win over Spanish opposition as the club’s manager. Real Sociedad, meanwhile, are now without a home win against English teams in six matches, a run that contains two draws and four defeats.
