First-half goals by Justin Kluivert and Rayan helped Bournemouth start their maiden European campaign with a memorable 2-1 win at Real Sociedad.
The Cherries had surprisingly been made favourites to win the Europa League, but Marco Rose watched his team justify their tag with a professional display on the road.
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Kluivert’s 11th-minute goal was followed by Rayan’s header nine minutes later, and although Sergio Gomez pulled one back, Bournemouth held on to claim all three points from their first ever match in Europe.
This fixture in San Sebastian was the latest chapter in a remarkable story for the Cherries, with a first European tie in the club’s history occurring only 18 years on from them being mired in financial trouble and on minus 17 points in the fourth tier of English football.
After Eddie Howe masterminded a great escape and three subsequent promotions, last season’s sixth-place finish under Andoni Iraola earned a place in the Europa League, but Rose was the man tasked with ensuring Bournemouth marked history with a win.
Rose stuck with the same line-up that battled to a 2-2 draw with Brentford last Saturday, and after only 11 minutes Kluivert etched his name into the record books.
Justin Kluivert made Bounremouth history (AP)
Evanilson passed out wide to Adrien Truffert and the visitors’ left-back produced a wonderful cross for Kluivert to tap in at the back post.
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Jubilant scenes in the away end were cut short by a VAR check but Kluivert was eventually ruled onside and the goal was given to spark a second wave of celebrations.
Kluivert’s strike made him the first Bournemouth player to score in Europe and Rayan made himself the second with 20 minutes on the clock.
England hopeful Alex Scott was the architect with a wonderful cross-field pass for Rayan to head home to make it 2-0.
Rayan doubled the Cherries’ lead (Reuters)
It was almost three soon after but Evanilson sent a header against the inside of the post from Marcus Tavernier’s free-kick.
Sociedad introduced Goncalo Guedes at half-time and the influence of Ander Barrenetxea started to grow before Bournemouth goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic had to be alert to tip wide a curler by Benat Turrientes.
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One minute later and Sociedad had a lifeline when ex-Manchester City full-back Gomez delivered a dangerous cross from the right-hand side which went all the way in. The 57th-minute effort set up a nervy last half an hour in the Basque County.
After Evanilson had a long-range shot saved, Sociedad started to call Petrovic into action on multiple occasions.
Djordje Petrovic kept Sociedad at bay late on (Getty)
Sociedad captain Mikel Oyarzabal chipped one effort over before being immediately withdrawn and he could not hide his frustration.
Petrovic had to be alert to save from Orri Oskarsson with five minutes left – moments after Oskarsson had failed to get a touch on a Gomez delivery which flashed across the face of goal.
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The crucial intervention from Bournemouth goalkeeper Petrovic occurred on the stroke of full-time when a deflected effort by Jon Martin found Oskarsson, but the Serbian stopper made a save from point-blank range to ensure the Cherries started their campaign with a win.
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