Bodo Glimt complete 'historical moment' with shock at San Siro — Inter Milan 1-2 Bodo/Glimt (Feb 24, 2026) Game Analysis
bodo glimt produced one of the competition's most startling results, beating Inter Milan 2-1 at the San Siro on Feb 24, 2026, and advancing 5-2 on aggregate to reach the Champions League last 16 for the first time. The win capped a sequence of upsets that already included victories over Manchester City and Atlético Madrid in the group phase and underlines why the Norwegian side are being hailed for defying expectations.
Bodo Glimt's historic progression and recent run
The Norwegian club, based around 70 miles inside the Arctic Circle, have forged a reputation for upsets. Their European campaign this season has been extraordinary: after failing to win any of their first six group-stage matches, they beat Manchester City at home and Atlético Madrid away to secure a playoff place, then overcame Inter in a two-leg tie to seal progression. This makes them the first Norwegian side to win a knockout-stage tie in the Champions League and the first club from their country to progress in the European Cup since Lillestrøm in 1987-88.
How the San Siro night unfolded
Inter, three-time winners of the competition and beaten by Paris Saint-Germain in last season's final, entered the second leg with work to do despite Bodo's first-leg lead. Top of Serie A by 10 points and undefeated in the league since 23 November, Inter dominated early territory and launched numerous first-half attacks that Bodo repelled. In the second half the away team turned the tie decisively in their favour.
Key moments and individual contributions
After 58 minutes Ole Didrik Blomberg pressured Manuel Akanji into a mistake, won possession and hit a drive that Yann Sommer could only parry. Jens Petter Hauge, back in the San Siro where he once had a two-year spell at AC Milan, followed up calmly to score the opener. Hauge has now scored six goals in this Champions League campaign, the most ever by a Norwegian player for a Norwegian club in a single edition.
Bodo grew in confidence after that goal and carved open Inter for the second in a flowing sequence. Hauge curled a cross into the path of Håkon Evjen, who took one touch with his left foot before smashing the ball past Sommer with his right. The night ended 2-1 on the night and 5-2 on aggregate, a home-and-away double over Cristian Chivu's side.
Reactions and context inside and outside the dressing room
Head coach Kjetil Knutsen called the result a historical moment for the club and for Norwegian football. Hauge, speaking after the game, said it 'sounds not true' but expressed excitement about being among the last teams in the competition and curiosity about the next two games. Håkon Evjen described the win as 'crazy' and 'surreal', saying the team beat Inter fairly on every front — mentally and physically.
Inter coach Cristian Chivu spoke with Knutsen after the final whistle and appeared bemused by the outcome. Midfielder Nicolò Barella admitted Inter struggled to create openings and congratulated Bodo on winning both legs and deserving to go through. A prominent former manager criticised Inter's tempo and lack of dribbling in the match, saying the team were too slow in passing and unable to break through.
Wider significance and what comes next
The achievement places the Norwegian side among the last 16, where they will face either Manchester City or Sporting. Beyond this season's run, the club's rise has had clear stages: a first domestic league title only in 2020, a Conference League quarter-final appearance in 2021-22 and a Europa League semi-final last season before a debut Champions League campaign this year. Observers have noted the contrast between Norway's domestic calendar — the domestic season does not start until next month — and Bodo's readiness to compete against elite European sides.
Records, legacy and the Arctic backdrop
The club has entered the record books with multiple firsts. They are the first team outside Europe's big five leagues to win four consecutive matches in a European Cup/Champions League campaign against opponents from those leagues since Ajax in 1971-72. An archive feature from May 2025 documented the club's rise under the headline 'Football in the Arctic - the incredible rise of Bodo/Glimt'. The team's home matches are often played in harsh wintry conditions, a reminder of the unique environment from which this historic run has emerged.
Recent coverage of the match noted strong reactions in Norway and Italy: Norwegian commentators hailed the result as possibly the nation's biggest club achievement, while Italian sports pages sought explanations for a shock defeat. For now, Bodo Glimt advance into the Champions League last 16 and wait to learn whether they will face Manchester City or Sporting next.
