Alex Scott makes his case to Thomas Tuchel with another superb display as Bournemouth show they CAN win the Europa League in impressive victory away to Real Sociedad

They have had to wait 127 years but finally AFC Bournemouth are off and running in Europe and marked their debut with an impressive 2-1 win away to Real Sociedad.

Marco Rose's side were electric in a scintillating opening 20 minutes in which Justin Kluivert put them ahead, converting Adrien Truffert's left-wing cross, and Rayan nodded in from Alex Scott's looping through ball.

It was a win in San Sebastian made even sweeter by the fact that Sociedad made them sweat, not least when Sergio Gomez, formerly of Manchester City, halved the deficit just before the hour.

Huge credit must go to goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic, who, despite being caught out by Gomez's fortuitous cross-turned-goal, made four world class saves to help Bournemouth hold on to this famous victory. They really were saves of the highest quality.

In the end it was Rose's Cherries that emerged victorious and the travelling fans are daring to dream just how far this European adventure can take them.

Bournemouth secured their first ever win in Europe with a 2-1 win away to Real Sociedad

Watching Scott when he is in full flight, just as he was here, particularly in the first half, is a real joy. It's why Bruno Fernandes highlighted him as one of his favourite players recently. It's why Thomas Tuchel is considering him for an England recall when he announces his Nations League squad today.

Scott was everywhere and was at the heartbeat of a Bournemouth side that showed no fear.

When Scott was linked to the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United in the summer, the fact he'd never proven his credentials in Europe was a question mark hanging over him.

On this evidence, and no doubt Tuchel was watching with interest, there is nothing to worry about.

He's a star. Now Europe knows it, too.

It's remarkable that despite being rooted at the foot of the Football League as recently as 2009, they went into this European campaign as the favourites to win the Europa League.

Ahead of a giant the size of Juventus. Ahead of a juggernaut like Marseille, or Turkish side Besiktas.

They showed why here. They have a swagger about them, a belief, a philosophy that can be successful on the continent as well as at home.

Bournemouth are an easy target to be ridiculed as a small club.

But European heavyweights are going to quickly learn that this current iteration is a serious roadblock to the trophy. You've been warned.

Bournemouth showed they have the grit to go with the flair as they dug in to seal three points

If there is any cause for concern on a night of dreams fulfilled it's that second halves are something Rose needs to get a handle on and tighten up.

The Cherries have only 'won' one second half this season when they defeated Championship side Lincoln City 4-0 in the Carabao Cup, scoring three times in the second 45.

But they lost the second half away to Manchester City, conceding twice to lose 2-1. They lost the second half at home against Everton, drawing that one 1-1. Against Newcastle United it was a 1-1 second half that sealed a 2-2 draw. Here in Spain it was Sociedad who edged the score in the second half, even if Bournemouth held on to win.

It's important not to accept things in a win that you wouldn't have accepted in a draw or defeat and Rose has high standards.

'It was very intense and tough so at the end it's an enjoyable result,' Rose said.

'A brilliant first half in everything. Our effort, attitude, confidence, the way we won balls, our pressing, our possession game, our goals. It was a top first half.

'Second half we needed to suffer. We were not so sharp and yeah, it was a deserved win but we need to talk about the second half.'

Making sure they are intense for 90, and not just 45, will be key to their bid, either via the Premier League or the Europa League, to get into the Champions League.