Correction (5 November 2026): an earlier version of this report gave the final score as Sparta Prague 1-2 Bournemouth. The score was taken before the match had ended, and substitute Rayan added a third Bournemouth goal in the 90th minute, so the match finished 1-3. The headline, result, match facts, narrative and table positions have been corrected. We apologise for the error.
Bournemouth came from behind to beat 10-man Sparta Prague 1-3 at the epet ARENA and stay perfect in the Europa League league phase, with substitutes Tyler Adams, Evanilson and Rayan all scoring.
Match facts
- Result: Sparta Prague 1-3 Bournemouth (half-time 1-0)
- Competition: UEFA Europa League, league phase, matchday 4
- Venue: epet ARENA, Prague
- Scorers: Sparta Prague – Ebrima Singhateh 35'; Bournemouth – Tyler Adams 57', Evanilson 81', Rayan 90'
- Assists: Sparta Prague – Jakub Surovcík (35'); Bournemouth – Ryan Christie (81')
- Red cards: Tobias Guddal (Sparta Prague) 37' — second yellow
- Other: Lewis Cook missed a first-half penalty (hit the post)
How the match unfolded
Marco Rose made eight changes to his Bournemouth side for the trip to Prague, and the Cherries were made to work for the points. Lewis Cook had a chance to settle the early nerves from the spot after a handball award against Sparta, but his penalty struck the post and stayed out.
Sparta took the lead on 35 minutes. Goalkeeper Jakub Surovcík claimed a Bournemouth corner and threw the ball out to Ebrima Singhateh, who drove through the defence and finished to make it 1-0. Two minutes later the contest tilted further: Tobias Guddal collected a second yellow card and was sent off, leaving Sparta with 10 men for more than half the match.
Bournemouth still trailed at the break. Rose sent on Tyler Adams for captain Adam Smith at half-time, and the United States midfielder levelled on 57 minutes, slamming a finish into the bottom corner after Sparta had given the ball away in their own half.
Rose then introduced Evanilson, Marcus Tavernier and Adrien Truffert around the hour mark. The winner arrived in the 81st minute. Ryan Christie won the ball high up the pitch and played in Evanilson, who took a touch under pressure and guided a precise finish into the far corner.
Sparta pushed late with further substitutions, but Bournemouth had the final say. Rayan, another second-half substitute, added a third in the 90th minute to make it 1-3 and seal a fourth Europa League victory from four.
What does the result mean in the table?
Bournemouth are second in the 36-team league phase on 12 points from four matches, according to UEFA standings after all matchday-four games. They are level on points with leaders Benfica and third-placed Ferencváros, and still unbeaten in Europe. The top eight advance straight to the round of 16, and Rose’s side are firmly inside that group after earlier wins over AC Milan and Sturm Graz.
Sparta Prague are 22nd on four points from four games (one win, one draw, two defeats). Playing with 10 men for so long after Guddal’s dismissal made the second-half task severe against a Bournemouth side that controlled large spells after the equaliser.
How Bournemouth turned it around
The first half exposed the cost of Rose’s heavy rotation: Bournemouth created the penalty chance but lacked a clinical edge until the restart. Adams’ introduction changed the midfield balance, and the later arrivals of Evanilson and Rayan gave the attack sharper finishing options.
Christie’s high win and reverse pass for the winner fitted the pattern of Bournemouth’s best European nights so far — pressing high, recovering the ball quickly and converting the transition. Full standings and other Europa League reports are collected on the Europa League page.
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