Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt pulled off a stunning 3–1 victory over Manchester City on Tuesday night, delivering one of the biggest surprises of this season’s UEFA Champions League.
Playing before a jubilant home crowd at the Aspmyra Stadion, Bodo/Glimt overwhelmed Pep Guardiola’s side with an energetic display that left the Premier League champions reeling in freezing Arctic conditions.
Kasper Hogh put the hosts firmly in control with two first-half goals, punishing defensive lapses from City. Jens Petter Hauge added a spectacular third shortly after the break, sealing a famous night for the Norwegian club.
Manchester City briefly threatened a comeback when Rayan Cherki reduced the deficit with a well-taken strike, but their hopes faded when midfielder Rodri was sent off after receiving two yellow cards in quick succession.
Reflecting the mood of the evening, a City supporter inside the stadium said, “We were completely outplayed. Bodo wanted it more from the first minute.”
Bodo/Glimt, a club from a fishing town just north of the Arctic Circle with a population of about 55,000, defied the vast financial and pedigree gap between both teams. Under coach Kjetil Knutsen, the hosts pressed aggressively and played with confidence, showing little regard for City’s star-studded lineup.
The Norwegian side had already impressed earlier in the group phase with draws against Borussia Dortmund and Tottenham, but Tuesday’s win marked their first-ever Champions League group-stage victory.
For Manchester City, the defeat deepens concerns about form and consistency.
Guardiola’s men arrived in Norway early to acclimatise and train on the artificial pitch, yet they looked disjointed throughout the contest.
City have now failed to win in their last four domestic league matches and are struggling to regain momentum after finishing last season without a trophy.
Guardiola had spoken ahead of the match about his team rediscovering their hunger, but the performance told a different story.
A disappointed City player admitted after the match, “We didn’t match their intensity. In the Champions League, you pay for mistakes.”
Manchester City will now turn their attention to their final group fixture against Galatasaray on January 28, where they will hope to secure a top-eight finish and automatic qualification for the round of 16.
For Bodo/Glimt, however, the night will be remembered as a historic triumph—proof that belief, organisation, and intensity can still humble Europe’s elite.
