Bodo Glimt stun Inter at San Siro to seal historic Champions League progress

Bodo Glimt become the first Norwegian club to win a Champions League knockout tie
A 2-1 win at the San Siro completes a remarkable 5-2 aggregate victory over Inter
The result caps an extraordinary European run that includes wins over Manchester City and Atletico Madrid

Bodo Glimt delivered one of the most astonishing results in Champions League history by eliminating Inter Milan at the San Siro to reach the round of 16.

The Norwegian champions followed up their 3-1 first leg success with a fearless 2-1 victory in Milan, sealing a remarkable 5-2 aggregate triumph and writing a new chapter in the history of Scandinavian football.

In their debut season in Europe’s premier club competition, Kjetil Knutsen’s side have repeatedly defied expectation. Having already defeated Manchester City and Atletico Madrid during the league phase, overcoming last season’s beaten finalists across two legs represents the most significant achievement yet.

Second half goals from Jens Petter Hauge and Hakon Evjen stunned the home crowd and extinguished any lingering hope of an Inter comeback. Alessandro Bastoni pulled one back late on, but the contest had already swung decisively in the visitors’ favour.

“Can you believe it?” said Knutsen afterwards. “A team from a small town up north. It is unbelievable.”

Inter, who currently sit comfortably at the top of Serie A, struggled to impose themselves as Bodo Glimt combined disciplined organisation with relentless intensity. The breakthrough arrived in the 58th minute when Ole Didrik Blomberg capitalised on a defensive error. His initial effort was saved by Yann Sommer, but Hauge reacted quickest to turn in the rebound.

As Inter pressed forward, leaving spaces behind, Bodo Glimt struck again. Evjen drove home a powerful finish in the 72nd minute to send the travelling supporters into raptures.

Inter midfielder Nicolo Barella acknowledged the scale of the achievement. “We are disappointed. We want to go as far as possible in every competition. We tried, but they were better than us.”

The scale of Bodo Glimt’s rise is striking. Only weeks ago, they had yet to record a single win in the competition. According to Opta, their probability of reaching the knockout phase stood at just 0.3 percent. That run of form has since included victories over City, Atletico and Inter, making them the first team from outside Europe’s traditional elite leagues to defeat four such opponents consecutively since Ajax in 1971.

Hauge’s goal was his sixth of the campaign, a record for a Norwegian club in a single Champions League season. His contribution, alongside a collective display of courage and organisation, underlined why Bodo Glimt now command admiration across the continent.

For Knutsen and his players, the journey is far from over. Their reward is a last 16 tie against either Manchester City or Sporting CP. Whatever the draw brings, this extraordinary adventure has already ensured their place in European football history.

WRITTEN BY

Hailey

Hailey Russell is a football journalist and former Division 1 collegiate athlete in the United States, bringing a unique blend of elite playing experience and professional insight to her work. Currently competing at the professional level in Europe, Hailey combines first-hand knowledge of the modern game with sharp analysis across match reports, player development, and tactical breakdowns.