Bodo/Glimt Make History Beating Inter Milan To Reach Champions League Last 16
Bodo/Glimt achieved the greatest milestone in their history on Tuesday, defeating Inter Milan 2-1 at the San Siro to reach the Champions League last 16 with a 5-2 aggregate win.
Having taken a 3-1 lead from last week’s first leg in Norway, goals from Jens Petter Hauge and Hakon Evjen in the second half stunned the home crowd and set up a showdown with either Manchester City or Sporting CP in the next round.
Over 3,000 Bodo fans made the journey to Milan to witness the club’s remarkable debut season in Europe’s premier club competition—a huge turnout for a city of just around 50,000 residents. In contrast, the San Siro hosted more than 20,000 people than the population of Bodo, most leaving disappointed as Inter’s late goal from Alessandro Bastoni failed to ignite a comeback, despite coach Cristian Chivu’s hopes.
Inter’s exit adds to Italian football’s struggles in Europe, with all four Serie A sides now likely to be eliminated by Thursday. Juventus and Atalanta trail Galatasaray and Borussia Dortmund respectively, with little expectation of overturning their deficits in the return legs.
For Bodo/Glimt, though, it was a historic night. Norwegian champions in four of the past six seasons, they will present a serious challenge to whoever they face next.
Inter dominated early, with Pio Esposito heading over from a Federico Dimarco cross in the third minute. Dimarco’s curling effort was tipped over by Nikita Haikin, and Marcus Thuram saw a long-range shot deflected over. Yet as the match progressed, Bodo/Glimt’s defense comfortably absorbed Inter’s wide attacks and crosses.
Hauge opened the scoring in the 58th minute after a confused passage involving Inter defender Manuel Akanji, who had just returned following treatment for a cut eyebrow, allowed Ole Didrik Blomberg to get the ball on the edge of the box. Blomberg missed one-on-one with Yann Sommer, but Hauge slotted home his sixth Champions League goal, sending the visiting supporters into ecstasy.
Evjen sealed Bodo/Glimt’s progression in the 72nd minute, expertly finishing Hauge’s precise pass into the box. Bastoni’s subsequent goal for Inter proved inconsequential as the Italian side now turns its focus to the Serie A title, currently 10 points ahead of city rivals AC Milan.
