FK Bodø/Glimt Fairytale Rolls On as Inter Milan Are Stunned in Arctic Upset

Bodø/Glimt’s remarkable European journey gathered further momentum as the Norwegian champions defeated Inter Milan to move within touching distance of a place in the UEFA Champions League last 16.

Despite currently being in their domestic off-season, the Eliteserien side produced a scintillating second-half display to overpower the Italian giants, adding Inter to an impressive list of recent scalps that already includes Manchester City and Atlético Madrid.

Clinical Second-Half Surge

The hosts took the lead after 20 minutes on their artificial surface inside the Arctic Circle. Kasper Waarts Høgh cleverly backheeled the ball into the path of Sondre Fet, who finished with composure to send the home crowd into raptures.

Inter responded positively, with former Manchester United defender Matteo Darmian striking the post and Nicolò Barella forcing a routine save from goalkeeper Nikita Haikin.

The Serie A leaders eventually found a way through. When Carlos Augusto’s header from Barella’s cross was blocked, the loose ball fell kindly to Francesco Pio Esposito, who turned sharply before firing beyond Haikin to level the contest.

Inter, three-time European champions and finalists in two of the past three seasons, continued to threaten. Lautaro Martínez rattled the post, while goalkeeper Yann Sommer was required to tip Høgh’s powerful drive over the crossbar at the other end.

However, the warning signs went unheeded.

Inter Made to Look Ordinary

On 61 minutes, Bodø/Glimt struck again with devastating efficiency. Launching a swift counter-attack, Høgh slipped the ball left to Jens Petter Hauge, who unleashed a thunderous left-footed effort into the top corner.

The goal visibly stunned the visitors, who struggled to regain their composure. Bodø/Glimt capitalised almost immediately, extending their advantage when Ole Didrik Blomberg squared across goal for Høgh to apply a simple finish from close range.

For a side eight points clear at the summit of Serie A, Inter were rendered surprisingly ordinary by their Norwegian opponents, whose energy and precision belied the fact they are currently between domestic campaigns.

With another heavyweight dispatched in the Arctic Circle, Bodø/Glimt’s fairytale European run shows no sign of slowing — and a place in the Champions League knockout stages is now firmly within their grasp.