BOURNEMOUTH, England, October 22, 2026: Bournemouth delivered one of the biggest shocks of the UEFA Europa League season on Thursday, demolishing AC Milan 3-0 after goalkeeper Mike Maignan was sent off, while Real Sociedad recorded an extraordinary 6-0 victory away to Lillestrøm. Hoffenheim inflicted a 3-0 defeat on previously unbeaten Lyon, Benfica and Olympiacos extended their perfect starts to three victories, and Celtic’s miserable European campaign continued with a 2-1 home defeat against Celta Vigo. Across the ten late Matchday 3 fixtures, 35 goals exposed the widening gap between clubs building momentum and those already struggling to keep their qualification ambitions alive.
Justin Kluivert, Marcus Tavernier and Amine Adli scored for Bournemouth as Milan finished with ten players following Maignan’s 27th-minute dismissal. In Norway, Luka Sučić and Sergio Gómez scored twice each as Real Sociedad overwhelmed Lillestrøm, while Olympiacos edged Sparta Praha 1-0 to join Benfica, Bournemouth, Bayer Leverkusen and Ferencváros on nine points. Crystal Palace recovered from a halftime deficit to draw 2-2 at Beşiktaş, Anderlecht won 3-0 at Jagiellonia, Levski Sofia stunned Viktoria Plzeň 2-1, and Salzburg shared four goals with Celje. The ten late results completed a remarkable Matchday 3 that produced 63 goals across all 18 Europa League matches.
Europa League Results, October 22, 2026: All Ten Late Matches
| Home Team | Score | Away Team | Defining Development |
|---|---|---|---|
| Viktoria Plzeň | 1-2 | Levski Sofia | Bulgarian visitors claim first league-phase victory |
| Olympiacos | 1-0 | Sparta Praha | Late González header extends perfect start |
| Bournemouth | 3-0 | AC Milan | Maignan sent off as English club maintain perfect record |
| Celje | 2-2 | RB Salzburg | Slovenian hosts earn first point of campaign |
| Beşiktaş | 2-2 | Crystal Palace | Four-goal contest ends with home side down to ten men |
| Lillestrøm | 0-6 | Real Sociedad | Sučić and Sergio Gómez score twice each |
| Celtic | 1-2 | Celta Vigo | Javi Rodríguez double leaves Celtic without a point |
| Omonia | 1-4 | Benfica | Portuguese visitors win third successive fixture |
| Jagiellonia Białystok | 0-3 | Anderlecht | Belgian club secure first victory of league phase |
| Hoffenheim | 3-0 | Lyon | German hosts end Lyon’s winning start |
The late window delivered eight winners and two draws. Five of the eight victories came away from home, including Real Sociedad’s six-goal demolition in Norway and Anderlecht’s convincing success in Poland.
Bournemouth, Hoffenheim and Olympiacos supplied the three home victories.
Story at a glance
Europa League Results, October 22, 2026: All Ten Late Matches
The late window delivered eight winners and two draws. Five of the eight victories came away from home, including Real Sociedad’s six-goal demolition in Norway and Anderlecht’s convincing success in Poland.
Bournemouth 3-0 AC Milan: Maignan’s Red Card Accelerates Italian Collapse
AC Milan arrived at the Vitality Stadium hoping to build on their emphatic 4-0 victory against Salzburg on Matchday 2.
Real Sociedad 6-0 Lillestrøm: Oyarzabal Orchestrates a Six-Goal Rout
Real Sociedad entered Thursday’s match still searching for their first victory of the Europa League league phase.
Benfica 4-1 Omonia: Portuguese Giants End Cypriot Club’s Perfect Defensive Record
Benfica extended their winning streak to three Europa League matches with a convincing 4-1 victory at Omonia.
Olympiacos 1-0 Sparta Praha: Late González Header Delivers Third Straight Win
Olympiacos maintained their perfect European record with a narrow 1-0 victory against Sparta Praha in Piraeus.
The results also included five clean sheets and two dismissals, with Milan’s Maignan and Beşiktaş defender Ümit Akdağ receiving red cards.
UEFA’s official 2026/27 Europa League fixtures and results provide the wider competition schedule and the earlier performances against which Thursday’s developments can be evaluated.
Bournemouth 3-0 AC Milan: Maignan’s Red Card Accelerates Italian Collapse
AC Milan arrived at the Vitality Stadium hoping to build on their emphatic 4-0 victory against Salzburg on Matchday 2.
Instead, Bournemouth delivered a defeat that exposed serious problems in Milan’s defensive organization and discipline.
Justin Kluivert opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the eighth minute.
The early breakthrough immediately placed Milan under pressure against a Bournemouth side already carrying confidence from victories over Real Sociedad and Sturm Graz.
The situation deteriorated dramatically in the 27th minute when goalkeeper Mike Maignan received a red card.
Reduced to ten players, Milan faced the challenge of recovering from a deficit while reorganizing their defensive structure without their starting goalkeeper.
Bournemouth capitalized almost immediately.
Marcus Tavernier converted another penalty in the 32nd minute, doubling the home side’s advantage.
The two early penalties and Maignan’s dismissal transformed the contest within little more than half an hour.
Milan entered halftime trailing 2-0 and needing a response that never materialized.
Amine Adli Completes Bournemouth’s European Statement
Bournemouth maintained their advantage through the second half and prevented Milan from creating sustained pressure.
Amine Adli completed the scoring in the 84th minute with a superb free kick.
The goal gave the English club a three-goal winning margin against one of European football’s most recognizable names.
Bournemouth also dominated the attacking statistics, recording six shots on target while Milan failed to register one.
The home side’s superior attacking output demonstrates that the victory involved more than simply exploiting a numerical advantage.
Milan had already fallen behind before Maignan’s dismissal. Bournemouth then used their advantage effectively, creating more opportunities and preventing the visitors from establishing meaningful attacking momentum.
For Milan, the result was a particularly damaging reversal after the previous week’s impressive display.
Alphadjo Cissé’s hat trick had inspired the 4-0 victory at Salzburg, but Milan were unable to reproduce that attacking efficiency against Bournemouth.
The Sports Encounter examined that earlier performance in Cissé’s Hat Trick Revives Milan as Lyon Survive Palace, Sunderland Escape Torreense.
The difference between the two results is striking.
Milan scored four goals without conceding against Salzburg, then failed to score while conceding three against Bournemouth.
It is the sort of inconsistency that can become expensive in an eight-match league phase.
Bournemouth’s Perfect Start: Three Wins and Eight Goals
| Matchday | Opponent | Result | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Real Sociedad, away | Won 2-1 | 3 |
| 2 | Sturm Graz, home | Won 3-0 | 3 |
| 3 | AC Milan, home | Won 3-0 | 3 |
| Total | 3 matches | 8 scored, 1 conceded | 9 |
Bournemouth have collected nine points, scored eight goals and conceded only once.
They have also recorded consecutive clean sheets.
Those figures place them among the competition’s strongest early performers.
The contrast with Milan’s opening defeat against Benfica is equally relevant.
The Sports Encounter covered that setback in Sunderland Return After 53 Years as Benfica Silence Milan on Europa League Opening Night.
After three fixtures, Bournemouth have already beaten two established clubs from major European leagues.
Their next challenge is an away match against Sparta Praha on November 5.
Real Sociedad 6-0 Lillestrøm: Oyarzabal Orchestrates a Six-Goal Rout
Real Sociedad entered Thursday’s match still searching for their first victory of the Europa League league phase.
The Spanish club had lost 2-1 against Bournemouth before conceding a late equalizer in a 1-1 draw against Union Saint-Gilloise.
A trip to Lillestrøm offered another opportunity to collect three points.
What followed was a remarkable demonstration of attacking football.
Real Sociedad scored six unanswered goals, with Sergio Gómez and Luka Sučić contributing two each.
Orri Óskarsson and Arsen Zakharyan added the other goals.
Mikel Oyarzabal played a central creative role, providing three assists as the visitors repeatedly found space behind the Norwegian side’s defensive lines.
The Spanish visitors established a commanding advantage during the opening half and continued attacking after the interval.
For Lillestrøm, the result was a defensive collapse of significant proportions.
The Norwegian side had already struggled to maintain control in its earlier European matches, but conceding six goals at home represented an especially severe setback.
Why Real Sociedad’s Six Goals Matter Beyond Goal Difference
Before visiting Lillestrøm, Sociedad had scored just twice in two league-phase matches.
Thursday’s victory increased that total to eight.
More importantly, the result offered evidence that the team’s attacking players can generate opportunities through several different combinations.
Oyarzabal’s three assists emphasized his role as a creator.
Sučić and Gómez provided finishing from different areas, while Óskarsson and Zakharyan contributed to the wider attacking effort.
Sociedad’s previous results had been shaped partly by missed opportunities and an inability to protect narrow leads.
The Sports Encounter examined similar problems during the club’s domestic campaign in Sučić Rescues Real Sociedad After Elche Fightback.
Against Lillestrøm, the Basque side did not allow a narrow advantage to become another source of uncertainty.
They turned control into goals and continued increasing the margin.
The 6-0 victory also strengthened Sociedad’s goal difference, which improved from minus one before kickoff to plus five.
That improvement could become valuable if clubs finish level on points after eight matches.
Real Sociedad now have four points from three games, while Lillestrøm remain on one.
Benfica 4-1 Omonia: Portuguese Giants End Cypriot Club’s Perfect Defensive Record
Benfica extended their winning streak to three Europa League matches with a convincing 4-1 victory at Omonia.
The Portuguese club entered the contest after beating AC Milan 2-0 and Celtic 4-1.
Omonia had also enjoyed an impressive start.
The Cypriot side defeated Celta Vigo 1-0 before winning 3-0 away to Celje, entering Thursday’s fixture with six points and no goals conceded.
That defensive record did not survive Benfica’s visit.
The visitors established an early lead, although Omonia responded through Andronikos Kakoulis in the 42nd minute.
At 1-1, the hosts had created an opportunity to challenge one of the competition’s leading sides.
But Benfica took control after halftime.
Vangelis Pavlidis restored the lead in the 49th minute, putting the Portuguese side back in front almost immediately after the interval.
Fredrik Aursnes extended the advantage in the 76th minute before Gianluca Prestianni completed the scoring in the 85th.
The final margin reflected Benfica’s ability to respond decisively after conceding.
Omonia’s equalizer briefly threatened to interrupt the visitors’ perfect start, but Benfica scored three times in the second half to eliminate that danger.
Benfica’s First Three Europa League Results
| Matchday | Opponent | Result | Goals Scored |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AC Milan, away | Won 2-0 | 2 |
| 2 | Celtic, home | Won 4-1 | 4 |
| 3 | Omonia, away | Won 4-1 | 4 |
| Total | 3 victories | 9 points | 10 |
Benfica have now scored ten goals and conceded just two in the league phase.
Their goal difference of plus eight is an important measure of how effectively they have handled the opening three fixtures.
The team has also defeated opponents from Italy, Scotland and Cyprus, demonstrating its ability to succeed in different environments.
For Omonia, the defeat is significant but should not erase the value of their earlier victories.
Six points from three matches still provide a useful platform.
However, conceding four at home raises questions about how effectively the side can handle opponents with stronger attacking resources.
The Sports Encounter’s Matchday 2 analysis of Benfica, Juventus and Beşiktaş examined the Portuguese club’s earlier victory against Celtic and the wider competition picture.
Benfica’s next Europa League match is at home to Lech Poznań on November 5.
Olympiacos 1-0 Sparta Praha: Late González Header Delivers Third Straight Win
Olympiacos maintained their perfect European record with a narrow 1-0 victory against Sparta Praha in Piraeus.
The Greek champions entered the match following a 2-1 victory over Jagiellonia and a 1-0 success against Marseille.
Sparta proved difficult to break down, frustrating the hosts for much of the contest.
Olympiacos continued searching for a breakthrough and eventually found it in the 78th minute.
Armando González scored with a header after Marcus Holmgren Pedersen supplied the opportunity.
The goal was enough to secure another three points.
Unlike Benfica and Bournemouth, Olympiacos have not relied on large winning margins.
They have instead built their perfect record around controlled performances and the ability to score at decisive moments.
Across three fixtures, the Greek club have scored four goals and conceded only one.
That represents a different route to nine points, emphasizing defensive resilience and efficient finishing.
The victory also added to the club’s momentum following its success in Marseille.
The Sports Encounter previously examined a supporter-access controversy surrounding that earlier match in Cleared to Travel, Shut Out of Marseille: Olympiacos Fans Pay for a Europa League U-Turn.
Olympiacos next travel to Rennes on November 5.
The question is whether they can maintain their unbeaten record against an opponent that has also shown resilience during the early rounds.
Hoffenheim 3-0 Lyon: German Side Punish Previously Perfect Visitors
Hoffenheim produced one of the evening’s most impressive results, defeating Lyon 3-0 to collect their first Europa League victory of the season.
The German club had begun the competition poorly.
They lost 2-0 against OFI Crete and then suffered a 3-2 home defeat to Beşiktaş.
Lyon arrived with two victories from two matches, having beaten Anderlecht and Crystal Palace.
The previous results suggested that the French side would enter the encounter in a stronger position.
Hoffenheim overturned those expectations.
Andrej Kramarić gave the hosts the lead in first-half stoppage time, scoring in the fourth added minute before the interval.
The timing was particularly damaging for Lyon.
Instead of entering halftime level, the visitors needed to recover from a goal conceded at the end of the opening period.
Hoffenheim increased their advantage almost immediately after the restart.
Adam Daghim scored in the 49th minute to make it 2-0.
The second goal forced Lyon to take greater risks while searching for a route back into the match.
Adam Hložek completed the scoring in the 83rd minute.
The 3-0 result gave Hoffenheim their first points and a valuable clean sheet.
How Hoffenheim Turned Two Defeats Into a Three-Goal Victory
The result was significant because Hoffenheim’s earlier problems had not been limited to scoring.
They conceded two against OFI and three against Beşiktaş.
Against Lyon, they protected their goal while producing three decisive finishes.
The improvement suggests that Hoffenheim were better able to manage defensive transitions and maintain control after establishing a lead.
The Sports Encounter had previously analyzed the German side’s opening defeat in OFI Crete’s 2-0 Victory Over Hoffenheim.
That result showed how Hoffenheim could generate attacking pressure without translating it into goals.
Thursday produced the opposite outcome.
They converted opportunities and prevented an opponent with two previous European wins from scoring.
For Lyon, the defeat raises immediate questions.
The French club conceded three goals against Crystal Palace on Matchday 2? No. They conceded two while winning 3-2, but their defensive organization had already come under pressure.
Hoffenheim exposed those problems more decisively.
Lyon remain on six points, while Hoffenheim move to three.
Both clubs now face important Matchday 4 assignments.
Celtic 1-2 Celta Vigo: Javi Rodríguez Double Deepens Scottish Club’s European Crisis
Celtic’s Europa League campaign suffered another major setback as Celta Vigo claimed a 2-1 victory in Glasgow.
The Scottish champions had already lost 3-1 to Ferencváros and 4-1 to Benfica.
Thursday offered another opportunity to recover, this time against a Spanish club that had also lost both opening matches.
Celtic made the more encouraging start and took the lead through Baur.
But Celta refused to allow the early setback to dictate the result.
Javi Rodríguez emerged as the decisive player, scoring twice to overturn the deficit and secure the visitors’ first league-phase victory.
For Celtic, the defeat means three losses from three matches.
The club have scored in all three fixtures but conceded nine goals overall.
That combination suggests attacking ability has not been matched by defensive reliability.
The problem is particularly damaging under the current league format, in which every club has only eight fixtures to accumulate sufficient points.
The Sports Encounter’s report on Celtic’s opening defeat against Ferencváros identified several defensive weaknesses that have continued to influence the team’s European performances.
The subsequent loss against Benfica and Thursday’s defeat to Celta have reinforced those concerns.
Celtic’s next Europa League match is at home to Beşiktaş on November 5.
The Scottish side have five fixtures remaining to revive their campaign, but the opening three defeats have already reduced their margin for error.
Celtic’s Europa League Record After Matchday 3
| Matchday | Opponent | Result | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ferencváros, home | Lost 1-3 | 0 |
| 2 | Benfica, away | Lost 1-4 | 0 |
| 3 | Celta Vigo, home | Lost 1-2 | 0 |
| Total | 3 matches | 3 goals scored, 9 conceded | 0 |
Celtic’s goal difference stands at minus six.
Celta, meanwhile, move to three points after ending a two-match losing sequence.
For the Spanish side, the victory is an important reminder that an unsuccessful opening fortnight does not necessarily determine the outcome of the entire league phase.
Beşiktaş 2-2 Crystal Palace: Four Goals and a Red Card in Istanbul
Crystal Palace earned a hard-fought 2-2 draw at Beşiktaş after a match featuring two changes of momentum and a late dismissal.
The Turkish hosts entered the encounter with a perfect record after defeating Marseille 4-1 and Hoffenheim 3-2.
Palace had beaten Lech Poznań 4-0 before losing 3-2 against Lyon.
The visitors therefore needed a positive response after their first defeat.
Beşiktaş took the lead through Wilfred Ndidi in first-half stoppage time.
Palace responded strongly after the interval.
Yeremy Pino equalized in the 51st minute before Jean-Philippe Mateta scored four minutes later to put the English side 2-1 ahead.
The comeback appeared to have transformed the contest.
But Beşiktaş retained enough attacking quality to respond.
Junior Olaitan equalized in the 73rd minute, restoring parity and denying Palace a victory that had briefly appeared within reach.
The final stages became more difficult for the hosts when Ümit Akdağ was dismissed in the 77th minute.
Despite finishing with ten players, Beşiktaş protected the 2-2 draw.
What the Result Reveals About Both Teams
For Palace, the outcome demonstrated resilience but also another failure to protect a favorable position.
They had recovered from 1-0 down to lead 2-1, only to concede the equalizer.
That pattern follows their 3-2 defeat to Lyon, where the London club scored twice but could not recover from earlier defensive errors.
Beşiktaş, meanwhile, lost their perfect winning record but remained unbeaten.
The Turkish side collected seven points from three fixtures and demonstrated the ability to recover after surrendering a lead.
The Sports Encounter covered the club’s powerful opening victory in Beşiktaş’s 4-1 Defeat of Marseille.
That match established Beşiktaş as a serious early contender.
Thursday showed a different dimension, as the Turkish side had to survive a difficult finish while numerically disadvantaged.
The Sports Encounter’s earlier analysis of Crystal Palace’s European opening victory also provides a useful comparison with Palace’s subsequent performances.
Palace now have four points from three games.
Beşiktaş have seven.
Anderlecht Win 3-0 at Jagiellonia to Revive European Campaign
Anderlecht secured their first Europa League victory of the season with a convincing 3-0 win against Jagiellonia Białystok in Poland.
The Belgian club had entered the contest under pressure after losing 2-1 to Lyon and 1-0 to Dinamo Zagreb.
Those defeats left Anderlecht without a point.
But Thursday’s performance provided the response the team needed.
Mihajlo Cvetković opened the scoring in the 21st minute, giving the visitors control during the first half.
Marten Winkler doubled the advantage in the 72nd minute.
Jayden Onia-Seke completed the 3-0 victory in the 80th minute.
The clean sheet was as important as the attacking return.
Anderlecht had conceded in each of their opening two matches. Against Jagiellonia, they combined three goals with a stronger defensive performance.
For the Polish hosts, the result represented a disappointing reversal following their 3-1 victory over Ararat-Armenia on Matchday 2.
Jagiellonia had entered the contest with three points and an opportunity to strengthen their position.
Instead, Anderlecht moved level with them on points.
The two clubs now have three points each after three fixtures.
The result also strengthens Anderlecht’s prospects ahead of a home match against Salzburg on November 5.
Levski Sofia Claim First Win as Viktoria Plzeň Lose 2-1 at Home
Levski Sofia secured their first Europa League victory of the league phase with a 2-1 away win against Viktoria Plzeň.
Both clubs entered the match looking for a breakthrough.
Viktoria had lost their opening fixture 3-0 against Union Saint-Gilloise before suffering a 2-1 defeat to Ferencváros.
Levski had begun with a 1-0 loss to Salzburg but followed that setback with a 1-1 draw against NEC Nijmegen.
The Bulgarian visitors therefore arrived with one point, compared with Viktoria’s zero.
Thursday’s result widened that difference.
Levski scored twice and protected their advantage to secure a valuable away victory.
Viktoria managed one goal but could not prevent a third consecutive defeat.
For Levski, the victory lifts their total to four points and creates a more encouraging position ahead of the remaining five matches.
For Viktoria, the situation has become much more serious.
They remain without a point after three matches and have conceded seven goals.
The Czech side must now travel to Lillestrøm on November 5.
That encounter will bring together two clubs struggling to establish themselves in the league phase.
Levski host Jagiellonia on the same date, providing another opportunity to build on Thursday’s breakthrough.
Celje 2-2 Salzburg: Both Teams Earn a Point After Difficult Starts
Celje and Salzburg shared four goals in a 2-2 draw that gave the Slovenian club its first Europa League point of the campaign.
Celje had begun with defeats against Leverkusen and Omonia.
Both opponents kept clean sheets, leaving the Slovenian side without a goal after two matches.
Thursday brought an improvement in attacking output.
Celje scored twice, ending their goalless league-phase run.
However, they also conceded twice, preventing the result from becoming a first victory.
Salzburg entered the match attempting to recover from a heavy 4-0 home defeat against AC Milan.
The Austrian club had opened the league phase with a 1-0 victory over Levski Sofia, but the subsequent loss exposed defensive problems.
The draw at Celje leaves Salzburg with four points from three matches.
Celje have one.
Both sides have reasons to identify progress, but neither can treat the result as a complete recovery.
Celje demonstrated greater attacking capability, while Salzburg avoided another defeat.
Yet both conceded twice, highlighting continuing defensive vulnerabilities.
Celje next face Sturm Graz, while Salzburg travel to Anderlecht on November 5.
Matchday 3 Late Fixtures: Goalscorers and Major Incidents
| Match | Verified Goalscorers or Key Events |
|---|---|
| Bournemouth 3-0 Milan | Justin Kluivert 8′ penalty; Marcus Tavernier 32′ penalty; Amine Adli 84′. Mike Maignan sent off 27′. |
| Lillestrøm 0-6 Real Sociedad | Sergio Gómez 2 goals; Luka Sučić 2; Orri Óskarsson 1; Arsen Zakharyan 1. Mikel Oyarzabal contributed 3 assists. |
| Omonia 1-4 Benfica | Omonia: Andronikos Kakoulis 42′. Benfica: Vangelis Pavlidis 49′, Fredrik Aursnes 76′, Gianluca Prestianni 85′, plus an early opening goal. |
| Olympiacos 1-0 Sparta Praha | Armando González 78′, assisted by Marcus Holmgren Pedersen. |
| Hoffenheim 3-0 Lyon | Andrej Kramarić 45+4′; Adam Daghim 49′; Adam Hložek 83′. |
| Celtic 1-2 Celta Vigo | Celtic: Baur. Celta: Javi Rodríguez 2 goals. |
| Beşiktaş 2-2 Crystal Palace | Wilfred Ndidi 45+2′, Junior Olaitan 73′; Yeremy Pino 51′, Jean-Philippe Mateta 55′. Ümit Akdağ dismissed 77′. |
| Jagiellonia 0-3 Anderlecht | Mihajlo Cvetković 21′; Marten Winkler 72′; Jayden Onia-Seke 80′. |
| Viktoria Plzeň 1-2 Levski Sofia | Final score confirmed; individual scorer details not independently established for this report. |
| Celje 2-2 Salzburg | Final score confirmed; individual scorer details not independently established for this report. |
The table separates verified individual goal details from fixtures for which complete scorer information was not independently established.
The most important individual attacking performances included two goals each from Sučić, Sergio Gómez and Javi Rodríguez.
Oyarzabal’s three assists were also significant in Sociedad’s six-goal victory.
The two red cards in Bournemouth and Istanbul had different consequences.
Milan suffered a heavy defeat after losing Maignan, while Beşiktaş survived the closing stages against Palace despite Akdağ’s dismissal.
Who Has Nine Points After Europa League Matchday 3?
Five clubs completed the third matchday with maximum points.
Continue the UEFA Europa League Story
UEFA Europa LeagueEuropa League: Marseille Lose Again as Leverkusen and Ferencváros Stay Perfect; Juventus Held by Rennes
UEFA Europa LeagueCissé’s Hat Trick Revives Milan as Lyon Survive Palace, Sunderland Escape Torreense in Europa League Drama
UEFA Europa LeagueDurán’s Double Buries Celtic as Juventus Fight Back, Beşiktaş Survive and Marseille Sink AgainThree of them played in Thursday’s late window: Bournemouth, Benfica and Olympiacos.
Bayer Leverkusen and Ferencváros had already reached nine points through victories in the early fixtures.
The five clubs have taken different routes to their perfect starts.
Europa League’s Five Perfect Teams After Three Games
| Club | Played | Wins | GF | GA | GD | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benfica | 3 | 3 | 10 | 2 | +8 | 9 |
| Bayer Leverkusen | 3 | 3 | 8 | 0 | +8 | 9 |
| Bournemouth | 3 | 3 | 8 | 1 | +7 | 9 |
| Ferencváros | 3 | 3 | 9 | 3 | +6 | 9 |
| Olympiacos | 3 | 3 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 9 |
TSE calculation based on all three completed league-phase results for each club. This is a performance comparison of the five nine-point teams, not the full official ranking table. The formal ordering is governed by UEFA’s competition tiebreaking rules.
The differences between these clubs are revealing.
Benfica have scored the most goals, reaching double figures in three fixtures.
Leverkusen are the only club among the five yet to concede.
Bournemouth combine eight goals with just one conceded, while Ferencváros have scored at least twice in every match.
Olympiacos have scored fewer goals but maintained their perfect record through defensive organization and narrow victories.
Under UEFA’s official 2026/27 Europa League regulations, the top eight clubs in the 36-team league phase advance directly to the round of 16.
Teams finishing ninth through 24th enter the knockout-phase playoffs.
Those ranked 25th through 36th are eliminated.
Nine points after three matches provide an excellent foundation, although they do not guarantee a direct place in the round of 16.
Europa League Matchday 3 by the Numbers: 63 Goals Across 18 Matches
Thursday’s complete schedule produced a remarkably balanced goals-per-match average across the two kickoff windows.
The eight early fixtures generated 28 goals, while the ten late matches produced 35.
Both windows therefore averaged exactly 3.5 goals per game.
The late fixtures also featured a stronger away-team scoring advantage.
Early and Late Kickoff Windows Compared
| Statistic | Early Fixtures | Late Fixtures | Full Matchday |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matches | 8 | 10 | 18 |
| Total goals | 28 | 35 | 63 |
| Goals per match | 3.50 | 3.50 | 3.50 |
| Home goals | 14 | 14 | 28 |
| Away goals | 14 | 21 | 35 |
| Home victories | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| Away victories | 3 | 5 | 8 |
| Draws | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Matches featuring a clean sheet | 4 | 5 | 9 |
TSE calculations: 28 + 35 = 63 goals. Sixty-three goals across 18 fixtures equals 3.50 per match. The home and away goal counts include both kickoff windows and are calculated from the final scorelines.
The figures illustrate an unusually productive matchday.
Away teams scored 35 of the 63 goals, representing approximately 55.6 percent of the total.
They also recorded eight victories compared with six for home teams.
Real Sociedad’s six-goal win had a substantial influence on that balance, but Bournemouth, Benfica and Anderlecht also contributed convincing victories.
The overall average of 3.5 goals per game reflects both high-scoring encounters and several controlled victories.
It does not mean every contest was open or evenly balanced.
Olympiacos secured a narrow 1-0 victory, while Real Sociedad and several other winners produced much larger margins.
What the Third Matchday Reveals About the Qualification Race
Three completed games represent 37.5 percent of each club’s eight-match league-phase schedule.
The competition remains open, but the difference between clubs on nine points and those on zero is already substantial.
Celtic and Viktoria Plzeň are among the teams still searching for their first point.
Both have five matches remaining.
A club that has lost its opening three fixtures can theoretically reach 15 points by winning the remaining five.
However, that scenario requires a dramatic reversal of form.
The more immediate objective for struggling clubs is to collect enough points to remain competitive for a playoff place.
At the other end, the perfect-start teams can begin positioning themselves for direct qualification.
The difference between finishing eighth and ninth is particularly important because it determines whether a club advances directly to the round of 16 or must contest an additional knockout tie.
Goal difference can also become significant when teams finish level on points.
That makes Sociedad’s six-goal win, Bournemouth’s defensive efficiency and Benfica’s double-digit attacking total useful beyond the immediate results.
Europa League Matchday 4: The Fixtures That Matter Most
The fourth league-phase matchday is scheduled for Thursday, November 5.
Several fixtures will test whether the trends established on October 22 can continue.
Bournemouth travel to Sparta Praha seeking a fourth consecutive victory.
Benfica host Lech Poznań, while Olympiacos visit Rennes.
Celtic face unbeaten Beşiktaş in Glasgow, a difficult assignment after three consecutive defeats.
Real Sociedad meet Lyon in Spain, bringing together a team that has just scored six and another that has conceded three without reply.
UEFA’s official Matchday 3 briefing provides further context about the competition’s early contenders and the importance of the latest round.
Selected Matchday 4 Fixtures
| Date | Fixture | Key Question |
|---|---|---|
| November 5 | Sparta Praha vs Bournemouth | Can Bournemouth maintain their perfect record? |
| November 5 | Benfica vs Lech Poznań | Will Benfica extend their ten-goal start? |
| November 5 | Rennes vs Olympiacos | Can the Greek champions win a fourth successive match? |
| November 5 | Celtic vs Beşiktaş | Can Celtic finally collect points? |
| November 5 | Real Sociedad vs Lyon | Will Sociedad sustain their attacking recovery? |
| November 5 | Crystal Palace vs Hoffenheim | Can Palace respond to defensive concerns? |
| November 5 | Anderlecht vs Salzburg | Which side will build on its improved performance? |
| November 5 | Levski Sofia vs Jagiellonia | Can Levski turn their first victory into momentum? |
| November 5 | Lillestrøm vs Viktoria Plzeň | Which struggling club can improve its position? |
| November 5 | Sturm Graz vs Celje | Can Celje build on their first point? |
The fixtures provide the next opportunity to determine whether the current standings reflect sustainable strengths or early fluctuations.
Europa League October 22, 2026: Frequently Asked Questions
What Was the Bournemouth vs AC Milan Result?
Bournemouth defeated AC Milan 3-0 at the Vitality Stadium. Justin Kluivert, Marcus Tavernier and Amine Adli scored, while Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan was sent off.
Why Was Mike Maignan Sent Off Against Bournemouth?
Maignan received a red card in the 27th minute. Milan were already trailing 1-0 and eventually lost 3-0.
Who Scored for Real Sociedad Against Lillestrøm?
Sergio Gómez and Luka Sučić scored twice each, while Orri Óskarsson and Arsen Zakharyan added one apiece in the 6-0 victory.
How Many Assists Did Mikel Oyarzabal Register?
Oyarzabal contributed three assists during Real Sociedad’s six-goal victory in Norway.
Who Scored for Hoffenheim Against Lyon?
Andrej Kramarić, Adam Daghim and Adam Hložek scored in Hoffenheim’s 3-0 victory.
What Was the Celtic vs Celta Vigo Score?
Celta Vigo defeated Celtic 2-1 in Glasgow, with Javi Rodríguez scoring both goals for the Spanish club.
Who Scored in Beşiktaş vs Crystal Palace?
Wilfred Ndidi and Junior Olaitan scored for Beşiktaş, while Yeremy Pino and Jean-Philippe Mateta scored for Palace in a 2-2 draw.
Which Player Was Sent Off for Beşiktaş?
Ümit Akdağ was dismissed in the 77th minute against Crystal Palace.
How Many Europa League Games Were Played on October 22?
Eighteen matches were played across two kickoff windows, with eight early games and ten later fixtures.
How Many Goals Were Scored Across the Full Matchday?
The 18 matches produced 63 goals, an average of 3.5 goals per game.
Which Clubs Have Nine Points After Three Matches?
Benfica, Bayer Leverkusen, Bournemouth, Ferencváros and Olympiacos completed Matchday 3 with three victories each.
When Is the Next Europa League Matchday?
Matchday 4 takes place on November 5, 2026.
Bournemouth Make the Strongest Statement, but the Europa League Race Is Only Beginning
The ten late matches on October 22 demonstrated the variety of ways a European campaign can change.
Bournemouth delivered the most striking individual result by overwhelming Milan, taking advantage of Maignan’s dismissal and extending their perfect record.
Real Sociedad produced the biggest winning margin, scoring six goals away from home and turning a difficult start into a more encouraging position.
Benfica continued to demonstrate attacking consistency, while Olympiacos maintained their perfect record through another narrow victory.
Hoffenheim revived their campaign by defeating previously unbeaten Lyon, and Anderlecht produced a similarly important response after two opening defeats.
Levski Sofia recorded their first victory, while Celta Vigo condemned Celtic to another frustrating European evening.
Beşiktaş and Crystal Palace delivered one of the night’s most dramatic contests, with four goals and a red card producing a draw that neither side could entirely celebrate.
The bigger picture is equally compelling.
Five clubs now have nine points from three games, while several established names remain under pressure.
Thursday’s 63 goals demonstrated the competition’s attacking potential, but the most meaningful differences are emerging in defensive control, the ability to respond after setbacks and the discipline required to protect winning positions.
There are still five matches remaining for every club.
Bournemouth, Benfica, Leverkusen, Ferencváros and Olympiacos have built foundations for direct qualification.
Celtic, Viktoria Plzeň and other struggling clubs must begin repairing their campaigns before the opportunities disappear.
Matchday 4 on November 5 will provide the next test of which early strengths are sustainable and which results were temporary.
For now, Bournemouth’s demolition of Milan and Real Sociedad’s six-goal exhibition stand as the defining performances of an extraordinary Europa League night.
