Norwegian debutants Bodo/Glimt claimed one of the biggest upsets in Champions League history by stunning Premier League Manchester City 3-1 in the cold of the Arctic Circle.
Played on an artificial surface, Pep Guardiola’s youngsters froze in the -9C temperatures as City suffered another embarrassing loss following Saturday’s derby defeat by Manchester United.
Glimt thoroughly deserved their victory, having taken a shock lead in the 22nd minute as Ole Didrik Blomberg’s looping cross to the back post was headed in by Kasper Hogh.
City were all over the place defensively, and young defender Max Alleyne, who was culpable for the first goal by running to the halfway line but failing to intercept a pass, then miscontrolled the ball in his own half just two minutes later.
It proved costly, allowing the hosts to double their lead as Blomberg again cut the ball across the box for Hogh to finish with a fine first-time shot.
Høgh could have had a third for the rampant Glimt before the half-hour mark when he slid in at the far post, but his effort on the stretch was smothered on the line by Gianluigi Donnarumma.
The usually prolific Erling Haaland has hit a sticky patch of form, and his recent performances were summed up shortly before half-time when a chance fell to him eight yards out, but he could not find the target with his strike.
In the second half, Jens Petter Hauge’s sensational solo effort, curling brilliantly into the top corner, put Kjetil Knutsen’s side in dreamland, and while Rayan Cherki pulled a goal back, City were then reduced to 10 men as Rodri was sent off for two bookable offences.
There was no way back for City thereafter, and they will need to beat Galatasaray in the final group-phase game to secure a top-eight place, while Glimt kept alive their hopes of reaching the play-off round.
Bodo/Glimt analysis: Norwegians claim memorable win
Just 10 years ago, Bodo/Glimt were playing in the second tier of Norwegian football. This is their first Champions League campaign.
They had not won a match in the main stage of the competition before City came into town – they ended up claiming one of the most famous results in their history.
Though they had drawn against Tottenham earlier this season, and faced Spurs in the Europa League semi-final last term, they had never beaten an English side in six previous meetings.
They ended that run in astonishing fashion.
The home faithful at Aspymra Stadium, dressed in yellow and black, twirled their scarves as the three points ensured they remain in the competition before their final group game at Atletico Madrid next Wednesday.
Glimt’s league season ended in November, agonisingly losing the title by a point to Viking, so they have been well rested and not played in six weeks since a draw against Borussia Dortmund.
But two goals in the space of as many first-half minutes laid the platform for the triumph, and they could well have had more.
Højh was flagged for offside in the second half as he looked to complete a hat-trick – the Dane had scored only once in 16 games before coming up against City.
Glimt’s pace on the break was causing City all sorts of issues, and Hakon Evjen’s low shot was pushed out by Donnarumma, while the Norwegian midfielder also had an effort ruled out for offside.
But in the end, it did not matter as the Glimt players warranted their victory to continue their fairytale story.
Man City analysis: Miserable start to the year continues
Guardiola’s side had ended the old year with eight straight victories but have won only two of their seven games in 2026 – and have now suffered back-to-back defeats.
City were facing Norwegian opposition for the first time, but it turned into a nightmare trip to Bodo for City’s inexperienced players.
The starting 11, with an average age of 24 years and 84 days, was the youngest City fielded in a Champions League match, and it showed as individual errors from Alleyne contributed to a humbling loss.
Just like against United at Old Trafford at the weekend, City were being carved open at will and were fortunate not to concede more than the three they had done.
Haaland’s visit to his homeland was one to forget as he failed to score again, now without a goal from open play for a month, and just one penalty in his past eight games.
City have fallen off the pace in the Premier League, seven points adrift of Arsenal, and they have work to do next week to avoid dropping into the Champions League play-off places.
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