Norwegian Underdogs Claim Dominant Victory
In a significant upset in the UEFA Champions League playoffs, Norwegian club Bodø/Glimt defeated Italian powerhouse Inter Milan with a commanding 3-1 victory in the first leg. The match took place on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at the Aspmyra Stadion in Bodø, Norway, marking a remarkable start to Bodø/Glimt's debut Champions League campaign.
Match Action and Goal Scorers
The hosts opened the scoring in the 20th minute through Sondre Fet, who finished after a clever backheel from Kasper Høgh. Inter Milan, last season's Champions League beaten finalists, responded in the 30th minute when Francesco Pio Esposito equalized, tucking home a rebound after a blocked shot. Despite Inter's efforts, including shots from Matteo Darmian and Lautaro Martinez hitting the post, Bodø/Glimt regained control in the second half. The Norwegian side scored twice in quick succession to solidify their lead: Jens Petter Hauge found the net in the 61st minute, followed by Kasper Høgh scoring in the 64th minute after an assist from Ole Didrik Blomberg. Inter Milan's coach, Cristian Chivu, saw his team struggle to respond, and captain Lautaro Martinez hobbled off injured during the game.
Context and Implications
The match was played in challenging freezing conditions on an artificial pitch, factors that Bodø/Glimt, under coach Kjetil Knutsen, are more accustomed to. This victory marks a historic achievement for Bodø/Glimt, as they became the first Norwegian team to win three consecutive European Cup/Champions League matches. Inter Milan, who finished 10th in the league phase, now face a significant deficit as they prepare to host the second leg at San Siro.
Looking Ahead
Bodø/Glimt will carry a two-goal advantage into the return leg, scheduled for Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at Inter's home ground. Inter Milan will need to overturn the 3-1 aggregate score to advance to the round of 16, a task made more challenging by the strong performance of the Norwegian side.
5 Comments
Raphael
Bodø/Glimt put in an amazing shift and clearly outplayed Inter on the night. However, overturning a two-goal deficit at San Siro is a different challenge entirely for the Norwegians.
Leonardo
Absolutely incredible! What a historic night for Norwegian football!
Michelangelo
Martinez getting injured just sums up how terrible this game was for Inter. Awful luck.
Donatello
While Inter certainly struggled with the conditions and their own form, Glimt's clinical finishing and tactical discipline were impressive. It'll be interesting to see if they can maintain this level away from home.
Leonardo
Fantastic tactics and energy from Glimt. True Champions League spirit!