Norwegian club Bodo/Glimt shocked European football on Tuesday night, eliminating Italian giants Inter Milan to advance to the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League. The minnows stunned the Nerrazzurri 5-2 on aggregate in a dramatic knockout playoff clash.
Bodo/Glimt secured a 2-1 victory at San Siro, overturning expectations and dumping last season’s runners-up out of the tournament. Two second-half goals from Jens Petter Hauge and Hakon Evje sealed the historic win.
Inter Milan dominated possession in the first half but failed to break the deadlock. A costly error by Manuel Akanji allowed Hauge to score on a rebound in the 58th minute after Yan Sommer had saved Didrik Blomberg’s initial strike. Evje later doubled the advantage with a precise half-volley, leaving Inter with slim hope. Alessandro Bastoni pulled one back for Inter, but it proved too little too late.
This marks the first time a Norwegian club has reached the Champions League knockout stage since the 1996/97 season.
Elsewhere on the night, Atletico Madrid overcame Club Brugge 4-1 at the Wanda Metropolitano, powered by Alexander Sorloth’s hat-trick, to progress 7-4 on aggregate. Newcastle United edged Qarabag 3-2 to move 9-3 on aggregate, while Bayer Leverkusen held Olympiacos to a 0-0 draw, advancing 2-0 overall.
Match Results:
Inter Milan 1-2 Bodo/Glimt (5-2 aggregate)
Atletico Madrid 4-1 Club Brugge (7-4 aggregate)
Newcastle United 3-2 Qarabag (9-3 aggregate)
Bayer Leverkusen 0-0 Olympiacos (2-0 aggregate)
Bodo/Glimt’s stunning feat has sent shockwaves across Europe, highlighting the growing influence of Scandinavian clubs on the continental stage.