Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt delivered one of the most remarkable results in Champions League history by eliminating last season’s runners-up, Inter Milan, and advancing to the round of 16 for the first time.
Returning to San Siro, where he previously endured two challenging seasons with AC Milan, Jens Petter Hauge made a decisive impact. He opened the scoring and later set up Hakon Evjen as the visitors sealed a famous victory.
Inter, three-time winners of the competition and 10 points clear at the top of Serie A, had been overwhelming favourites heading into the knockout play-off tie. However, Bodo — currently in their domestic off season — once again defied expectations.
Having already beaten Manchester City and Atletico Madrid during the group stage of their debut campaign, the Norwegian side added another heavyweight to their list with a 3-1 triumph in the first leg.
Inter’s pressure repelled by resilient visitors
Trailing by two goals, the Italian hosts launched wave after wave of attacks in an attempt to overturn the deficit. The opening half saw relentless pressure, but Bodo’s defence stood firm.
Goalkeeper Nikita Haikin was central to that resistance. He produced two vital early saves, first pushing over Federico Dimarco’s curling effort before denying Davide Frattesi from close range.
The breakthrough moment arrived in the 58th minute. Manuel Akanji was dispossessed by Ole Didrik Blomberg, who surged into the area. Although Yann Sommer brilliantly stopped Blomberg’s attempt, Hauge reacted quickest to fire in the rebound.
The strike marked Hauge’s sixth goal in this season’s Champions League — the highest tally by a Norwegian representing a Norwegian club in a single edition of the tournament.
Evjen finishes the job as Inter fall short
The setback visibly affected Inter, with several players dropping to the turf in frustration. Akanji nearly redeemed himself when his effort struck the post, but the comeback never materialised.
Instead, Bodo extended their advantage in the 72nd minute. Hauge delivered a precise pass into the penalty area, where Evjen controlled it before producing a composed finish beyond Sommer.
Alessandro Bastoni briefly revived hope for the home side four minutes later by forcing the ball over the line to reduce the margin on the night.
Yet the damage had already been done. Beaten by Paris St-Germain in last season’s final, Inter could not find the goals required, while Bodo held on to become the first Norwegian team to win a knockout-stage tie in Europe’s premier club competition since Lillestrom in 1987-88.