Justin Kluivert and Marcus Tavernier converted first-half penalties before substitute Amine Adli sealed an impressive win with a superb late free-kick, giving the Cherries three victories from their opening three matches in the competition.
The result marked another significant milestone for Bournemouth in their first-ever European campaign, as Marco Rose’s side produced a commanding performance against one of the continent’s most decorated clubs.
Kluivert and Tavernier punish Milan
Bournemouth made an aggressive start and took the lead in the eighth minute after a VAR review determined that AC Milan defender Koni De Winter had handled the ball inside the penalty area.
Justin Kluivert stepped up and calmly sent goalkeeper Mike Maignan the wrong way to put the hosts ahead.
The Cherries continued to apply pressure, forcing Milan to defend deep as the home side looked to extend their advantage.
The contest took a decisive turn around the half-hour mark when Maignan was sent off for pushing Bournemouth midfielder Tyler Adams in the face during a corner-kick situation.
Adli completes Bournemouth’s memorable night
Bournemouth maintained control after the interval, although Rose made several substitutions with the team's upcoming fixtures in mind.
The hosts continued to threaten, with Rayan going close to adding a third when he headed Adrien Truffert’s delivery narrowly over the crossbar.
AC Milan struggled to create clear opportunities while playing with a numerical disadvantage. Sankhoun Diawara threatened a consolation, but Bournemouth goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio was not beaten.
The home side eventually secured the result in the 84th minute when Amine Adli curled a superb free-kick into the net from approximately 25 yards.
Adli’s strike capped an outstanding night for Bournemouth and confirmed a three-goal victory over the seven-time European champions.
Bournemouth maintain perfect European record
The victory means Bournemouth have won all three of their opening Europa League matches, having previously defeated Real Sociedad and Sturm Graz.
Their performance against Milan further strengthened their reputation as an ambitious and competitive newcomer to European football.
For AC Milan, the defeat represents a setback in their European campaign. The Italian side struggled to recover after Maignan’s dismissal, while Bournemouth capitalised on their numerical advantage and made the most of their opportunities.
Bournemouth will look to carry their European momentum into their upcoming domestic fixtures, while Milan must regroup quickly ahead of their next assignments.
Match details
• Competition: UEFA Europa League
• Fixture: Bournemouth 3-0 AC Milan
• Date: Thursday, 22 October 2026
• Venue: Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth, England
• Goalscorers:
• Bournemouth: Justin Kluivert 8' (pen), Marcus Tavernier 32' (pen), Amine Adli 84'
• Red card: Mike Maignan (AC Milan)
• Bournemouth record: Three wins from three Europa League matches
Nigfooty Sports Desk