Bodø/Glimt defeated Inter Milan 2-1 in the second leg of their Champions League playoff at the San Siro. The result secured a 5-2 aggregate victory for the Norwegian team.
This marked the first time a Norwegian club advanced to the round of 16 since 1992. Bodø/Glimt will next face either Manchester City or Sporting Lisbon.
First-Half Dominance
Inter Milan controlled the opening half. Marcus Thuram, the Inter forward, created two early chances but failed to score. Pio Esposito headed over from a Federico Dimarco cross in the third minute.
However Bodø/Glimt goalkeeper Nikita Haikin tipped away a Dimarco inswinger. Inter generated 30 shots overall but converted only one.
Second-Half Breakthrough
Bodø/Glimt shifted momentum after halftime. Jens Petter Hauge scored in the 58th minute. He converted a rebound after Ole Didrik Blomberg missed a one-on-one following a mistake by Inter defender Manuel Akanji. Then Hakon Evjen extended the lead in the 72nd minute. He lashed home a pass from Hauge into the far corner.
Late Response
Inter responded quickly. Alessandro Bastoni scored in the 77th minute. He forced the ball over the line from close range. Moreover the goal came too late to change the outcome. Bodø/Glimt held firm despite Inter’s pressure.
Reactions from the Tie
After the first leg, Inter midfielder Pio Esposito said, “They deserve the praise for this win, and we could and should have done better.” Inter defender Matteo Darmian added, “I’m not sure what exactly made it so hard for us.”
Bodø/Glimt coach Kjetil Knutsen dismissed pitch complaints before the tie, stating, “Manchester City didn’t even mention it.” The upset highlighted Bodø/Glimt’s resilience against top European sides.
