Bournemouth won on their first night in European competition, beating Real Sociedad 2-1 in San Sebastián in their Europa League opener. Justin Kluivert scored in the 10th minute and Rayan added a second in the 19th, and the visitors needed two late saves from Đorđe Petrović to hold on after Sergio Gómez pulled one back in the 56th.
It was the first European match in the club's 127-year history, played in front of 2,000 travelling supporters, and it came 18 years after Bournemouth were in the fourth tier on minus 17 points. Last season's sixth-place finish in the Premier League earned the place in the competition, and Marco Rose's side, who had been installed as favourites to win it, began with a victory away to a Real Sociedad team that won the Copa del Rey last season.
Kluivert and Rayan Make the Early Running
Bournemouth's opener came from a move that started with Evanilson releasing Adrien Truffert down the left. Truffert's cross found Kluivert at the back post. The goal was initially flagged offside, but a VAR check of about two minutes showed Kluivert onside and it stood. Opta credits Truffert with the assist.