Vedtimes.com | Sports Desk
The Premier League 2026: European football witnessed a series of thrilling encounters on Thursday night, with AFC Bournemouth producing one of the most eye-catching results by defeating Italian giants AC Milan 3-0.
Elsewhere, Benfica and Bayer Leverkusen secured convincing victories, Real Sociedad recorded a remarkable 6-0 triumph, and Juventus were held to a draw against Rennes.
Bournemouth Humiliate AC Milan 3-0
AFC Bournemouth delivered a memorable performance against seven-time European champions AC Milan, securing a commanding 3-0 victory.
Justin Kluivert opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the eighth minute, giving Bournemouth an early advantage.
The Premier League side doubled their lead in the 32nd minute when Marcus Tavernier converted another penalty.
AC Milan’s challenge became even more difficult in the 27th minute, when goalkeeper Mike Maignan was sent off, leaving the Italian side with ten players.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, Milan attempted to remain competitive, but Bournemouth maintained control of the contest.
Amine Adli sealed the emphatic victory with a third goal in the 84th minute, completing an impressive performance against one of Europe’s most decorated clubs.
Benfica and Bayer Leverkusen Continue Their Winning Form
Benfica were among the standout performers of the night, defeating Omonia 4-1 with an attacking display that highlighted their scoring potential.
Bayer Leverkusen also enjoyed a comfortable evening, beating OFI Crete 2-0 to maintain their impressive run.
However, the most emphatic victory belonged to Real Sociedad, who overwhelmed Lillestrøm 6-0.
Their dominant performance was one of the biggest talking points of the evening.
Juventus Held by Rennes
Juventus were unable to secure all three points against Rennes, settling for a 2-2 draw.
The result marked the first time Juventus had dropped points in their opening three matches of the competition, interrupting what had been a promising start.
Celtic also suffered disappointment, losing 2-1 to Celta Vigo. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace and Besiktas played out an entertaining 2-2 draw, and Lech Poznań shared the points with Sunderland after a 1-1 stalemate.
Thursday Night’s Key European Results
| Match | Result |
| AFC Bournemouth vs AC Milan | Bournemouth won 3-0 |
| Juventus vs Rennes | 2-2 draw |
| Celtic vs Celta Vigo | Celta Vigo won 2-1 |
| Crystal Palace vs Besiktas | 2-2 draw |
| Lech Poznań vs Sunderland | 1-1 draw |
| Benfica vs Omonia | Benfica won 4-1 |
| OFI Crete vs Bayer Leverkusen | Leverkusen won 2-0 |
| Lillestrøm vs Real Sociedad | Real Sociedad won 6-0 |
Bournemouth Steal the Spotlight
While several major clubs delivered strong performances, Bournemouth emerged as one of the biggest stories of the night with their emphatic victory over AC Milan.
Two first-half penalties and a second-half goal proved decisive, while Maignan’s dismissal further complicated Milan’s task.
Benfica, Bayer Leverkusen and Real Sociedad also made headlines with convincing victories, whereas Juventus were left frustrated after dropping points against Rennes.
The night’s results once again demonstrated the unpredictable nature of European football, where established giants can struggle and ambitious challengers can seize the spotlight.
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