AFC Bournemouth beat SK Sturm Graz 3-0 in a comfortable UEFA Europa League win.

The UEFA Europa League League Phase match took place on 15 October 2026 at Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth. The home side entered the game looking to make an impact in front of their supporters, while the visitors from Austria aimed to claim a point on foreign soil.

How it unfolded

The first notable incident came early in the first half when Evanilson was shown a yellow card in the 14th minute for a bad foul. The caution did not deter the Brazilian forward, who went on to make the decisive contribution just before the break. In the 41st minute, Sturm Graz midfielder Belmin Beganovic received a yellow card, his only booking of the match.

The dead-ball routine paid off for Bournemouth at the 43rd minute. Adam Smith delivered a cross into the box, and Evanilson rose to meet it with a powerful header that flew into the top left corner, giving the hosts a 1-0 lead.

The second half opened with Bournemouth’s Bafodé Diakité booked for a bad foul in the 58th minute, followed by Julio Soler receiving a yellow card in the 66th minute. Despite the disciplinary pressure, the home side continued to press. Their persistence was rewarded in the 76th minute when a corner was swung in and Rayan struck a right-footed shot from the centre of the box into the centre of the net, extending the lead to 2-0.

Sturm Graz’s frustrations grew in the closing stages. Julian Halwachs was booked for a bad foul in the 85th minute, and two minutes later Albert Vallci also received a yellow card for a bad foul.

The final blow came in stoppage time. Álvaro Rodríguez stepped up to convert a penalty in the 90+2 minute, calmly slotting the left-footed shot to the centre of the goal and sealing a 3-0 triumph for Bournemouth.

Standout performers

Evanilson was the match’s opening scorer, heading in Adam Smith’s cross to put Bournemouth ahead. Rayan added a second goal from a corner, demonstrating good positioning and finishing. Álvaro Rodríguez completed the scoring sheet with a composed penalty in injury time. Adam Smith’s assist set the tone for the first goal, highlighting his delivery from wide areas.

Match facts

  • Final score: AFC Bournemouth 3-0 SK Sturm Graz
  • Scorers: Evanilson (43'), Rayan (76'), Álvaro Rodríguez (90'+2')
  • Bookings:
    • Evanilson (14') – yellow card
    • Belmin Beganovic (41') – yellow card
    • Bafodé Diakité (58') – yellow card
    • Julio Soler (66') – yellow card
    • Julian Halwachs (85') – yellow card
    • Albert Vallci (87') – yellow card
  • Venue: Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth

What it means

The three-goal victory gives AFC Bournemouth three points from the UEFA Europa League League Phase match, while SK Sturm Graz return home without points after a clean sheet defeat.