Real Sociedad 1-2 Bournemouth: Kluivert and Rayan make history as Cherries win on European debut | OneFootball

Bournemouth marked their first match in European competition with a 2-1 victory over Real Sociedad at the Estadio Municipal de Anoeta, scoring twice inside the opening 20 minutes before surviving sustained second-half pressure.

Bournemouth forward Justin Kluivert scored the club’s first European goal before winger Rayan doubled the lead nine minutes later. Real Sociedad wing-back Sergio Gómez pulled one back after the interval, but goalkeeper Đorđe Petrović made a series of late saves to secure a historic opening-night win for Marco Rose’s side.

As it happened

Bournemouth made a confident start and took the lead in the 11th minute. Bournemouth left-back Adrien Truffert broke beyond the Real Sociedad defence and crossed for Kluivert, who converted first time. The flag initially went up for offside, but a lengthy VAR review overturned the decision and awarded the goal.

The visitors doubled their advantage in the 20th minute. Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott lifted a measured pass into the area and Rayan made the run behind the defence before guiding a header past Real Sociedad goalkeeper Unai Marrero.

Bournemouth nearly added a third six minutes later when striker Evanilson met a free-kick inside the area, but his header struck the foot of the post. Real Sociedad created little in response and went into half-time trailing 2-0.

The hosts improved after the break and reduced the deficit in the 57th minute. Real Sociedad defender Luken Beitia moved the ball to Gómez, whose attempted cross from the right travelled beyond everyone and found the far corner.

Real Sociedad then increased the pressure. Petrović denied Beñat Turrientes with a diving save before stopping Gonçalo Guedes from inside the area as Bournemouth were pushed deeper.

The clearest late chances fell to Real Sociedad striker Orri Óskarsson. He failed to make contact with Gómez’s cross in the 83rd minute before Petrović saved another effort four minutes later.

Óskarsson had one final opportunity in stoppage time when the ball dropped to him inside the six-yard box, but Petrović reacted sharply to block his first-time shot and preserve Bournemouth’s 2-1 lead through to the final whistle, with the Cherries holding on for a famous victory.