European football has always produced nights of magic, but few expected the stunning drama that unfolded at Aspmyra Stadion as FK Bodo/Glimt delivered a sensational 3–1 victory over Italian giants Inter Milan in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League knockout playoff clash.
On a cold night north of the Arctic Circle, the Norwegian champions combined tactical discipline, fearless attacking football, and clinical finishing to dismantle last season’s finalists, leaving Inter with a mountain to climb ahead of the return leg in Milan.
From kickoff, Inter attempted to impose their authority, with Nicolo Barella orchestrating possession in midfield and Lautaro Martínez probing for openings in the final third. The Italian side dominated early spells of the ball, but Bod0/Glimt looked far more dangerous whenever they transitioned forward with pace.
The breakthrough arrived in the 20th minute, and it sent the home crowd into absolute delirium.
A well-constructed attacking move saw Kasper Høgh involved in the build-up before the ball found Sondre Brunstad Fet, who timed his run perfectly into the penalty area. The midfielder kept his composure and produced a clinical finish past the Inter goalkeeper to give Bodo/Glimt a shock 1–0 lead.
Inter responded quickly, demonstrating why they remain one of Europe’s elite sides.
Just ten minutes later, in the 30th minute, pressure inside the Bodo/Glimt penalty area resulted in an opportunity for young striker Francesco Pio Esposito, who reacted fastest to a loose ball and fired home to level the match at 1–1.
The equalizer restored some composure to the Italian side, and Simone Inzaghi’s men began controlling possession for longer periods. Matteo Darmian came close to giving Inter the lead, striking the post from a tight angle, while Lautaro Martínez forced a save with a dangerous effort inside the box.
Despite Inter’s dominance in possession, Bodo/Glimt remained compact defensively and dangerous on the counterattack, ensuring the first half ended 1–1 with everything still to play for.
However, what followed after halftime completely changed the narrative of the match.
Bodo/Glimt emerged for the second half with renewed intensity, pressing higher up the pitch and disrupting Inter’s rhythm. Their tactical bravery paid off in devastating fashion just after the hour mark.
In the 61st minute, striker Kasper Hogh showed impressive awareness by rolling a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Jens Petter Hauge, who unleashed a powerful strike into the top corner to restore the Norwegian side’s lead at 2–1.
The goal sparked wild celebrations, with Hauge sprinting toward the corner flag in emotional celebration as the stadium erupted.
Inter barely had time to regroup before disaster struck again.
Only three minutes later, in the 64th minute, Bodo/Glimt struck for a third time. This time, Ole Didrik Blomberg provided the assist, delivering a precise pass that allowed Kasper Høgh to finish confidently and extend the lead to 3–1.
Within moments, the underdogs had transformed the game into a commanding advantage, leaving Inter visibly stunned.
The Italian side attempted to respond, pushing numbers forward in search of a way back into the contest. Barella continued to drive midfield play, while substitute attackers tried to inject urgency into Inter’s attack. However, Bodo/Glimt’s defensive organization held firm, with disciplined positioning and intelligent pressing preventing clear chances.
Goalkeeper Nikita Haikin also played an important role, making crucial interventions to deny Inter opportunities and preserve the two-goal advantage.
As the clock ticked down, frustration began to creep into Inter’s performance. Passes became rushed, decision-making deteriorated, and Bodo/Glimt looked increasingly comfortable controlling the tempo of the match.
The final whistle confirmed one of the biggest upsets of this season’s Champions League campaign, a 3–1 victory for the Norwegian champions that puts them in a powerful position heading into the second leg.
The result continues Bodo/Glimt’s remarkable European journey, having already impressed against major clubs earlier in the competition, and once again proves that the Arctic side is capable of competing with Europe’s elite.
For Inter Milan, the defeat represents a serious setback. Despite their pedigree and experience, they now face enormous pressure to overturn the deficit at San Siro if they are to progress to the next round.
Meanwhile, Bodo/Glimt can dream, and after a performance of this magnitude, those dreams suddenly look very real.
