Bodø/Glimt made history on February 24 by defeating Inter Milan 2-1 at San Siro in the Champions League playoff second leg, securing a 5-2 aggregate victory and becoming the first Norwegian team ever to win a knockout tie in Europe's elite club competition.
Bodø/Glimt pulled off one of the biggest upsets in Champions League history by knocking out Italian giants Inter Milan, the three-time European champions. In just their first season in the competition, the Norwegian club has become a fairytale story. In their first season in European club soccer's top competition, Bodø/Glimt have produced one shock after another following wins against Manchester City and Atlético Madrid at the end of the league phase. Their path to the Round of 16 now puts them in rare company - the first team from outside Europe's top five leagues to win four straight games in Europe's premier club competition against opponents from those leagues since Ajax in 1971-72.
Second-half goals sealed the deal on Tuesday evening. Second-half goals from Jens Petter Hauge and Hakon Evjen stunned the home fans in Milan after a goalless first half. Inter dominated possession and created chances, but finished with 30 shot attempts and seven shots on goal, but putting only one past the line. The Norwegian visitors' efficient, disciplined defending proved more than enough to weather the Italian onslaught.
Victory over two legs against last year's beaten finalist Inter was their biggest feat yet. Inter came into the match facing a steep mountain to climb after losing 3-1 away in the first leg of their playoff on February 18. Unavailable players for Inter included Hakan Calhanoglu and Lautaro Martinez, both with injuries, weakening their attacking options just when they needed their best lineup. Despite their best efforts at home, the Serie A leaders couldn't find the clinical edge needed to overturn the deficit.
Bodø/Glimt's rise has been nothing short of remarkable. Just weeks ago, according to stats firm Opta, a month ago it had a 0.3% chance of advancing to the round of 16. Now they're heading to the next round while other top European sides battle through similar playoff drama. The result makes Bodø/Glimt the first Norwegian team to ever win a Champions League knockout tie.