In one of the most remarkable upsets in UEFA Champions League history, Norway’s relatively unknown club Bodø/Glimt produced a fairy-tale night at the iconic San Siro on Tuesday, defeating last season’s runners-up Inter Milan 2–1 to secure a place in the competition’s last 16.
The Norwegian side, playing their first-ever Champions League campaign, had already created a shock in the first leg, winning 3–1 at home in Bodø. Combining both legs, Bodø/Glimt emerged victorious 5–2, joining Newcastle United, Atlético Madrid, and Bayer Leverkusen in the round of 16.
The first half at San Siro remained goalless, but the second half saw Bodø/Glimt seize control. At the 52nd minute, Jens Petter Hauge stunned the stadium after capitalising on a loose ball following a Manuel Akanji miscue. The lead was doubled in the 72nd minute by Håkon Evjen, making the aggregate score 5–1. Although Alessandro Bastoni pulled one back for Inter in the 76th minute, the Italian giants never truly threatened to overturn the deficit.
Bodø/Glimt, winners of four Eliteserien titles in the last five seasons, narrowly missed out on this year’s Norwegian league crown to Viking Stavanger. Yet they have more than compensated for that domestic disappointment with European heroics. No Norwegian club has progressed this far in the Champions League since Rosenborg reached the quarter-finals in 1997.
The club’s achievement is made even more extraordinary considering Norway’s league season concluded last November, with the next season only starting in mid-March. Bodø/Glimt have accomplished this feat mid-off-season under the guidance of coach Kjetil Knutsen, demonstrating both tactical discipline and mental resilience.
Bodø/Glimt’s Hauge reflected after the game:
“This is unbelievable for us. We knew Inter were a very strong team—they played the final last season. To come here and perform like this is incredible.”
Knutsen added:
“Tonight is a special evening for the club, the players, this city, and Norway. We are not thinking about targets; we are focused on improving performance, developing the players, and following our method. That is our priority.”
Champions League Play-Off Round – Second Leg Results
| Club | Opponent | Second Leg Score | Aggregate Score | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bodø/Glimt | Inter Milan | 2–1 | 5–2 | Last 16 |
| Newcastle United | Qarabağ | 3–2 | 9–3 | Last 16 |
| Atlético Madrid | Club Brugge | 4–1 | 7–4 | Last 16 |
| Bayer Leverkusen | Olympiacos | 0–0 | 2–0 | Last 16 |
Other notable performances included Newcastle United overcoming Qarabağ 3–2 away after a dominant 6–1 win in the first leg, making England the country with six representatives in the last 16. Atlético Madrid, propelled by a hat-trick from Norwegian striker Alexander Sørloth, defeated Club Brugge 4–1 at home to progress 7–4 on aggregate. Meanwhile, Bayer Leverkusen drew 0–0 at home following a 2–0 first-leg victory over Olympiacos.
With the draw for the last 16 scheduled for Friday, Bodø/Glimt could face European heavyweights Sporting Lisbon or Manchester City, offering them a chance to continue writing a remarkable chapter in Norwegian football history.