Bodo/Glimt delivered one of the greatest upsets in UEFA Champions League history, eliminating last season’s finalists Inter Milan in the knockout-round playoffs. The Norwegian side secured a 3-1 victory in the first leg at home and followed with a 2-1 triumph at San Siro, earning a round-of-16 clash against either Manchester City or Sporting CP.
Bodo/Glimt demonstrated their prowess earlier this season, handing Manchester City a 3-1 group-stage defeat under Pep Guardiola and also overcoming Atlético Madrid. These matches mark the team’s only three competitive fixtures in 2026, as the Norwegian league paused after November to sidestep harsh winter conditions.
Bodo/Glimt’s Feat Among Historic Champions League Shocks
Bodo/Glimt’s elimination of three-time champions Inter stands out, but it joins a storied list of knockout-stage surprises.
1997-98: Monaco Edges Manchester United (1-1 agg., away goals)
Monaco stunned Manchester United in the quarterfinals. A goalless first leg set the stage for David Trézéguet’s early second-leg strike at Old Trafford. United, featuring David Beckham, Paul Scholes, and Ole Gunnar Solskjær, managed only one reply, falling to the away-goals rule amid stunned fans.
1998-99: Dynamo Kyiv Topples Real Madrid (3-1 agg.)
Dynamo Kyiv drew 1-1 at the Bernabéu before a 2-0 home win in the quarterfinals. Andriy Shevchenko netted all three goals across the ties, later earning top scorer honors and a move to AC Milan.
2003-04: Porto Knocks Out Manchester United (3-2 agg.)
Porto won 2-1 at home in the round of 16, then Costinha’s equalizer at Old Trafford sealed United’s exit. José Mourinho’s iconic touchline dash became legendary.
2003-04: Deportivo La Coruña’s Epic Comeback vs. AC Milan (5-4 agg.)
Trailing 4-1 after the first quarterfinal leg, Deportivo rallied with goals from Walter Pandiani, Juan Carlos Valerón, Alberto Luque, and Fran at Estadio Riazor for a stunning turnaround. Porto ended their run in the semis.
2003-04: Monaco Overcomes Real Madrid (5-5 agg., away goals)
Real Madrid led 4-2 after the first leg and extended to 5-2 overall via Raúl. Monaco fought back with Ludovic Giuly’s brace and Fernando Morientes’ header, advancing under Didier Deschamps.
2005-06: Villarreal Advances Past Inter Milan (2-2 agg., away goals)
Villarreal lost 2-1 at home in their debut quarterfinals but Rodolfo Arruabarrena’s header in the return leg propelled Manuel Pellegrini’s team to the semis.
2011-12: Apoel Nicosia Beats Lyon (1-1 agg., 4-3 pens)
Apoel swapped 1-0 wins in the round of 16, then goalkeeper Dionisios Chiotis saved penalties from Alexandre Lacazette and Michel Bastos to reach the quarterfinals after prior victories over Zenit and Porto.
2016-17: Monaco Shocks Manchester City (6-6 agg., away goals)
City won 5-3 at home, but Kylian Mbappé inspired three Monaco goals at Stade Louis II. Leroy Sané’s late strike fell short.
2018-19: Ajax Crushes Real Madrid (5-3 agg.)
Despite Marco Asensio’s late first-leg winner, Ajax hammered 4-1 in the second leg at the Bernabéu under Erik ten Hag, advancing after topping Bayern in their group.
2019-20: Lyon Stuns Manchester City (3-1)
In a single-leg quarterfinal amid COVID-19 disruptions in Portugal, Lyon led early. Kevin De Bruyne equalized, but Moussa Dembélé’s late double secured victory.
