Bournemouth starts Europa League journey with win at Real Sociedad
3 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 17, 2026, 9:34 PM
Last updated Sep 17, 2026
AFC Bournemouth secured a 2-1 victory against Real Sociedad in their first UEFA Europa League match on September 17, 2026. Justin Kluivert opened the scoring in the 11th minute, followed by a header from Rayan nine minutes later. Sergio Gomez provided a response for Sociedad in the 57th minute, but Bournemouth maintained their lead. This victory marks Bournemouth's inaugural win in European competition, highlighting their progression since nearly facing relegation from the Football League eighteen years ago.
- •Bournemouth leads 2-0 at halftime in the match.
- •Kluivert and Rayan scored first-half goals for Bournemouth.
- •Gomez pulled one back for Real Sociedad in the second half.
- •Bournemouth is in their first European campaign after recent promotions.
- 9:14 PMThe Guardian Sport — Kluivert and Rayan rock Real Sociedad as Bournemouth win on European bow
"The first goal that AFC Bournemouth ever scored in Europe could be heard out on the Bay of Biscay. The second sounded round San Sebastián soon after. A tradition from Real Sociedad’s old Atotxa ground, recovered at Anoeta in 2009, dictates that a single firework is set off every time the visitors score while two are lit when the home team do; that way those out to sea know the score. And so it was that at 21.41 on a Thursday night in September 2026, Justin Kluivert found the net and Juan Iturralde ran out into the street to let everyone what had happened. Back in Dorset and high in Anoeta, they knew; they had waited their whole lives for this and it was a nice way to mark the history they made, announcing their arrival on the continent with a victory in the city where it all began for Andoni Iraola, the manager who brought them here. Continue reading...
"First-half goals by Justin Kluivert and Rayan helped Bournemouth start their maiden European campaign with a memorable 2-1 win at Real Sociedad.
Sources
External links- The Guardian SportSep 17, 2026, 9:14 PMKluivert and Rayan rock Real Sociedad as Bournemouth win on European bow
The first goal that AFC Bournemouth ever scored in Europe could be heard out on the Bay of Biscay. The second sounded round San Sebastián soon after. A tradition from Real Sociedad’s old Atotxa ground, recovered at Anoeta in 2009, dictates that a single firework is set off every time the visitors score while two are lit when the home team do; that way those out to sea know the score. And so it was that at 21.41 on a Thursday night in September 2026, Justin Kluivert found the net and Juan Iturralde ran out into the street to let everyone what had happened. Back in Dorset and high in Anoeta, they knew; they had waited their whole lives for this and it was a nice way to mark the history they made, announcing their arrival on the continent with a victory in the city where it all began for Andoni Iraola, the manager who brought them here. Continue reading...
- Sky Sports—Bournemouth enjoy winning start to Europa League campaign at Sociedad
First-half goals by Justin Kluivert and Rayan helped Bournemouth start their maiden European campaign with a memorable 2-1 win at Real Sociedad.
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