Bodo/Glimt delivered yet another stunning performance in the UEFA Champions League, shocking Serie A leaders Inter Milan with a commanding 3-1 victory in the first leg of the play-off round. Danish forward Kasper Høgh was the star of the show, scoring a goal and providing two assists to lead his Norwegian side to a historic advantage.
This triumph marks only the second time a Norwegian club has defeated an Italian team in European competition. The first occasion was in 1996, when Rosenborg overcame AC Milan.
The home side took the lead after just 20 minutes. Høgh’s exquisite backheel pass found Sondre Brunstad Fet, who calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner with a composed finish.
However, Inter Milan responded swiftly. Ten minutes later, 20-year-old Pio Esposito capitalised on a threaded pass from Carlos Augusto inside the box, turning sharply to score. With this strike, Esposito became the youngest Italian to score for Inter in a Champions League knockout fixture.
After the break, Inter showed brief signs of dominance. Lautaro Martínez saw a shot strike the post, and Augusto tested goalkeeper Nikita Haikin with a long-range effort.
Yet the match soon swung back in Bodo/Glimt’s favour. In the 61st minute, a defensive lapse allowed Jens Petter Hauge to create an opportunity for Høgh, who deftly lobbed the ball over the goalkeeper into the net. Three minutes later, Høgh doubled the lead, finishing from close range following a precise cross from Ole Didrik Blomberg. This was Høgh’s fourth goal of the Champions League campaign, underlining his importance to the Norwegian side’s extraordinary run.
Bodo/Glimt’s impressive form this season has been nothing short of remarkable. In the group stage, they defeated Manchester City 3-1 and later overcame Atlético Madrid 2-1, securing their place in the play-offs with confidence to spare.
Despite the victory, coach Kjetil Knutsen remained measured in his appraisal. Speaking to TV2, he said: “We did not play our best game today. We lacked clarity in possession and in expressing ourselves, but we scored some fantastic goals — that made the difference.”
For Inter Milan, hope remains for the return leg. Manager Cristian Chivu’s squad will look to overturn the deficit at home next Tuesday. Midfielder Petar Sučić emphasised optimism, stating: “It was a tough night for us, but we can win at home — we must believe in that.”
In other Champions League play-off action, Bayer Leverkusen defeated Olympiacos 2-0, securing their own first-leg advantage.
Bodo/Glimt vs Inter Milan – Key Facts
| Team | Goals | Scorers / Key Contributions | Minute Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bodo/Glimt | 3 | Sondre Brunstad Fet (20’), Kasper Høgh (61’, 64’) | Brunstad Fet opens scoring; Høgh goal & assist combo |
| Inter Milan | 1 | Pio Esposito (30’) | Esposito becomes youngest Italian to score in knockout stage for Inter |
| Venue | Bodo/Glimt home | Attendance | – |
| Referee | – | Competition | UEFA Champions League Play-off, First Leg |
Bodo/Glimt’s sensational victory may well go down as one of the most memorable moments in Norwegian football history, signalling their intent to compete at the highest level of European competition.