In a stunning upset that has sent shockwaves through European football, Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt has qualified for the Champions League Round of 16 for the first time ever. The underdogs triumphed over Italian giants Inter Milan with an emphatic 5-2 aggregate scoreline, marking a historic milestone for the club from the Arctic Circle.
The second leg at San Siro saw Bodo/Glimt under relentless pressure from the hosts early on. Yet, former AC Milan striker Jens Petter Hauge broke the deadlock with a crucial goal, easing the nerves for the visitors. Close-range finishes and a brilliant strike from Hakon Evjen further solidified their lead, turning the tie decisively in their favor.
Inter Milan mounted a late comeback attempt. Manuel Akanji nodded home from Federico Dimarco’s cutback, and Alessandro Bastoni added another, but it proved too little, too late. Coach Kjetil Knutsen’s tactical masterclass propelled his team to this unforgettable achievement.
Meanwhile, Newcastle United sealed their spot in the knockout stages with a 3-2 victory over Qarabag FK, wrapping up a commanding 9-3 aggregate win. This clash etched itself into Champions League lore as one of the highest-scoring encounters ever.
Sandro Tonali and Joelinton struck early to build on their 6-1 first-leg lead, with Sven Botman adding a third in the second half. Qarabag’s Elvin Jafarguliyev pulled one back, but goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale’s penalty save kept Newcastle’s path clear.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe praised his side’s resilience: ‘Matches at this level are never straightforward. We dominated the away fixture and handled the pressure superbly.’ The Magpies now await a potential showdown with Chelsea or Barcelona in the last 16.