Match Centre

Bournemouth's 3-0 victory was fully deserved, with their 2.88 xG dwarfing Sturm Graz's 0.37 – a clinical conversion rate complementing their 62% possession and 23 total shots. The hosts created higher-quality chances (14 shots inside the box to Sturm Graz's 4) and were more efficient, hitting the target with 7 of their attempts while the visitors managed just 1 on goal.

Francisco Evanilson opened the scoring just before half-time (43'), capitalising on Adam Smith's assist, before substitute Rayan Vitor Simplicio Rocha doubled the lead (76'). Álvaro Rodríguez's penalty (90+2') capped a dominant performance where Bournemouth out-shot their opponents by 17 attempts and won 7 corners to Sturm Graz's 3. The key difference? Bournemouth generated 7.8 times more xG than their opponents – the clearest measure of their superiority.