bodø/glimt vs inter — Bodo in touching distance of Champions League last 16

Bodø/Glimt delivered another European upset with a 3-1 victory over Inter in the Champions League play-off first leg on 18 February 2026 (ET). The Norwegian side, still in their domestic off-season, overpowered one of Europe’s elite in a second-half eruption that gives them a strong foothold ahead of the return leg in Italy.

First-half drama and a level contest

The match began with an early exchange of chances that hinted at a tight evening, but Bodø struck first on the artificial turf when a deft backheel created the opening and Sondre Fet finished clinically after 20 minutes. Inter pushed back: Matteo Darmian rattled the post and Nicolo Barella forced a smart stop from the visiting goalkeeper, while Carlos Augusto’s cross led to Francesco Pio Esposito turning and firing home to restore parity before the break.

Inter’s early momentum suggested the Italian giants might seize control, but the hosts rode the atmosphere of their Arctic-circle ground and kept their structure intact, denying Inter the fluency they enjoy in the league. The artificial surface and unusual conditions in Bodø cropped up repeatedly as factors that level the playing field against teams unused to them.

Second-half blitz leaves Inter stunned

The decisive phase arrived in the second half. Inside three minutes after the restart, Jens Petter Hauge and Kasper Waarts Høgh struck to turn the tie on its head. Bodø countered with devastating efficiency: a quick transition saw Høgh tee up Hauge to curl a left-footed strike into the top corner, and moments later Ole Didrik Blomberg’s square pass allowed Høgh to tap home and make it 3-1.

Inter had earlier been denied by the woodwork again when Lautaro Martínez hit the post, and their goalkeeper was forced into a fine save to keep the scoreline respectable. But the visitors looked bereft of the cutting intensity required to break down Bodø’s compact lines once the Norwegians took the lead. The host side’s ability to convert swift counter-attacks into goals proved the difference.

Implications and the road to San Siro

The result leaves Bodø/Glimt within touching distance of the Champions League last 16, with Inter facing a tricky return trip to salvage the tie. Beyond the scoreboard, several strands explain why the Norwegians have been so difficult to unsettle in Europe: the artificial pitch, the climate and a lighter fixture schedule that has kept the squad fresh while many opponents juggle congested calendars.

Those elements helped Bodø topple established names earlier in this continental campaign and will be factors Inter must overcome in the second leg. Commentators and former players have suggested that Bodø can still find the net in Milan, and while the margin is slim enough to keep Inter firmly in the tie, the onus is on the Italian side to respond under pressure.

Historically the clubs have only met in European competition decades ago, making this tie a rare clash between a Norwegian side and one of Italy’s most decorated teams in the knockout stages. The coming week will be about recovery, tactical tweaks and handling expectations; Inter must regroup quickly if they are to turn the tie around, while Bodø will aim to defend their advantage and hunt for a decisive away goal in Italy.

For now, Bodø/Glimt leave their Arctic arena with a famous result and the momentum that comes with it. The second leg promises to be tense and tactical, with both sets of supporters aware that small margins will determine who advances in Europe’s elite competition.