Bournemouth produced one of the most memorable nights in their history after beating AC Milan 3-0 in the UEFA Europa League at the Vitality Stadium on Thursday, October 22, 2026.
Justin Kluivert and Marcus Tavernier converted first-half penalties before substitute Amine Adli scored a spectacular free-kick late in the game to complete a landmark victory for the Premier League side.
The result was made more difficult for Milan by the dismissal of goalkeeper and captain Mike Maignan, who was sent off in the 27th minute following an altercation with Bournemouth midfielder Tyler Adams.
The victory extended Bournemouth’s perfect start to their first European campaign, with manager Marco Rose’s side recording three wins from their opening three Europa League matches.
Kluivert Gives Bournemouth an Early Lead
Bournemouth made an aggressive start and were rewarded with an early penalty after a VAR review identified a handball by Milan defender Koni De Winter.
The incident occurred when Evanilson’s header struck De Winter’s outstretched arm inside the penalty area.
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Kluivert stepped up in the eighth minute and calmly sent Maignan the wrong way, putting the hosts ahead and giving the home supporters an early reason to celebrate.
The goal strengthened Bournemouth’s confidence, and the Cherries continued to put pressure on their visitors.
Ryan Christie and Evanilson also tested Milan’s defence as the hosts looked to extend their advantage.
Maignan Sent Off After Clash With Tyler Adams
Milan’s task became considerably harder in the 27th minute when Maignan was shown a straight red card.
The goalkeeper reacted to a corner by pushing both hands into Adams’ face, prompting the referee to dismiss him after a review.
The incident also resulted in another penalty for Bournemouth, leaving Milan with a numerical disadvantage and a significant challenge to overcome.
Substitute goalkeeper Lorenzo Torriani came on to replace the dismissed Maignan, but he was unable to prevent the home side from doubling their lead.
Tavernier took responsibility for the second spot-kick in the 32nd minute and confidently converted, sending Torriani the wrong way to make it 2-0.
Bournemouth went into the interval with a commanding advantage after a first half in which Milan’s disciplinary problems proved costly.
Amine Adli Seals the Victory With Stunning Free-Kick
Milan attempted to reorganise after the break, but Bournemouth continued to control much of the contest and limited the visitors’ opportunities.
The Cherries created further chances through their attacking players, while Milan struggled to generate a sustained response with 10 men.
Bournemouth eventually added a third goal in the 84th minute when Adli stepped up to take a free-kick from approximately 25 yards.
The substitute struck a powerful, curling effort that travelled through the Milan defensive wall and into the net, leaving Torriani unable to stop it.
Adli’s late strike capped an impressive performance and sparked further celebrations among Bournemouth supporters.
The goal also underlined the home side’s ability to turn their numerical advantage into a convincing scoreline against one of European football’s most decorated clubs.
Bournemouth Make Strong Start to European Campaign
The win continued Bournemouth’s impressive opening to their debut European campaign.
Before facing Milan, the Cherries had defeated Real Sociedad and Sturm Graz, giving them three victories from their first three matches in the competition.
The result placed Bournemouth third in the Europa League table at the time of the match, with the team maintaining a 100 per cent record.
For a club whose history has largely been defined by domestic football, defeating seven-time European champions Milan represented a significant milestone.
The performance also offered further encouragement to Rose as Bournemouth seek to establish themselves in European competition while continuing their Premier League campaign.
Difficult Night for Ruben Amorim’s AC Milan
The defeat was a disappointing return to England for Milan manager Ruben Amorim, whose team struggled to recover after Maignan’s dismissal.
The early penalty had already put the visitors under pressure before the goalkeeper’s red card left them facing an uphill battle.
Tavernier’s second penalty increased the deficit before the interval, while Adli’s free-kick removed any remaining doubt about the outcome late in the game.
Milan were unable to find a goal of their own and suffered their second European defeat of the season, increasing the importance of their upcoming fixtures.
The Italian club will now look to regroup before their next Europa League match and return to domestic action.
What Bournemouth’s Win Means
Bournemouth’s victory demonstrated how effectively they capitalised on key moments, from Kluivert’s early penalty to the dismissal of Maignan and Tavernier’s subsequent conversion.
Although Milan’s red card significantly influenced the contest, the hosts maintained their attacking pressure and finished the night with three goals and a clean sheet.
The Cherries will aim to carry that momentum into their next European fixture as they continue their push for progress in the competition.
For Milan, the immediate priority will be to address the mistakes that contributed to a difficult evening on the south coast.
Conclusion
Bournemouth defeated AC Milan 3-0 in a landmark Europa League result, with Kluivert and Tavernier scoring penalties before Adli’s late free-kick completed the victory.
Maignan’s first-half red card left Milan with 10 men and played a major role in the outcome.
The win gave Bournemouth three victories from three matches in their first European campaign and strengthened their position in the league phase.
For the Cherries, it was a night to remember. For Milan, it was a costly defeat that will require a response in their next fixtures.