AFC Bournemouth strengthened their impressive start to the UEFA Europa League campaign with a 3–0 victory over Italian giants AC Milan at Vitality Stadium on Thursday, October 22, 2026.
The Premier League club produced a determined performance to secure their third consecutive victory in the competition, overcoming one of Europe’s most recognisable football teams in front of their home supporters.
Justin Kluivert and Marcus Tavernier scored first-half penalties before Amine Adli added a third goal late in the match. AC Milan’s task became more difficult when goalkeeper and captain Mike Maignan was sent off during the first half.
According to Bournemouth’s official match report and AC Milan’s account of the game, the result extended Bournemouth’s perfect record in the Europa League league phase and left Milan facing questions about their defensive discipline and ability to respond under pressure.
Kluivert Opens the Scoring
Bournemouth started the match aggressively, looking to take advantage of their home support and establish control early.
Their pressure paid off in the eighth minute when the referee awarded a penalty after a VAR review determined that AC Milan defender Koni De Winter had handled Evanilson’s header.
Kluivert stepped forward and converted from the spot to give Bournemouth a 1–0 lead.
The early goal gave the home side confidence and forced Milan to reconsider their approach. The Italian club attempted to respond, but Bournemouth continued to create dangerous situations through their attacking movement and pressure around the penalty area.
The match changed further in the 27th minute when Milan goalkeeper Maignan was shown a straight red card following an incident involving Bournemouth midfielder Tyler Adams.
The dismissal left Milan with ten players and forced the visitors to reorganise their defence. With their captain and first-choice goalkeeper removed from the game, the visitors faced a difficult challenge against a Bournemouth side that was already leading.
Tavernier Doubles Bournemouth’s Advantage
Bournemouth took advantage of the situation by winning another penalty in the first half.
Tavernier converted in the 32nd minute, sending substitute goalkeeper Lorenzo Torriani the wrong way to make it 2–0.
The goal strengthened Bournemouth’s control of the match and left Milan with a significant deficit to overcome before the interval.
Milan made changes in an attempt to stabilise the team and improve its ability to compete despite being a player down. However, Bournemouth continued to defend their advantage and looked capable of adding another goal.
The two first-half penalties gave the home side a comfortable position heading into the second half, while Milan faced the challenge of trying to recover without exposing themselves further at the back.
For Bournemouth, the key objective after the break was to maintain concentration and avoid allowing the visitors back into the contest.
Adli Completes the Victory
Bournemouth continued to manage the match effectively after the interval, restricting Milan’s opportunities and looking for openings to extend their advantage.
The decisive third goal arrived in the 84th minute when Adli scored from a free kick.
His effort completed the 3–0 victory and capped a strong team performance. Bournemouth had now defeated Milan without conceding, adding another significant result to their European campaign.
The victory was particularly notable because AC Milan are seven-time European champions with a long history of success in continental football.
Although Milan were disadvantaged by the dismissal, Bournemouth still had to maintain their organisation, create chances and convert the opportunities available to them.
The result demonstrated the value of Bournemouth’s aggressive start and their ability to capitalise on key moments in the match.
Bournemouth Strengthen Their Qualification Hopes
The win marked Bournemouth’s third victory from three Europa League matches, following earlier wins over Real Sociedad and Sturm Graz.
Their perfect start placed them in a strong position as the league phase continued. Maintaining that form could improve their chances of securing qualification without needing to rely on results elsewhere.
However, the club will still need to approach subsequent fixtures carefully. European competitions can quickly change direction, and injuries, suspensions or inconsistent performances can affect a team’s progress.
For Milan, the defeat represents a setback but does not automatically end their hopes of advancing. The club will need to respond in its next European fixture and avoid repeating the mistakes that contributed to the loss.
The two sides now face different challenges. Bournemouth will look to build on the momentum of an important European victory, while Milan must recover quickly and prepare for their next domestic and continental commitments.
The result also highlights the competitive nature of the Europa League, where clubs from different leagues can challenge established European names.
Bournemouth’s performance will give their supporters reason for optimism as the season progresses, although the team must continue to demonstrate the same discipline and attacking quality in its remaining matches.
