Bodø Glimt produced one of the standout results in UEFA Champions League history, beating Manchester City 3-1 on Tuesday, 20 January 2026, at a snow-covered Aspmyra Stadion.
In their first Champions League league phase campaign, the Norwegian champions played with pace and belief, outworking Pep Guardiola’s side and adding to City’s problems in a tough season.
The game took place in sub-zero temperatures on artificial turf, conditions Bodø/Glimt know well. The win was their first ever against English opposition, and it was also the first Champions League victory for a Norwegian club since Rosenborg won in 2007.
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre was in the stands for a night that will be remembered for years in Norway.
First-Half Blitz: Høgh Turns Pressure into Two Goals
Two Minutes That Changed Everything
Bodø/Glimt started fast and didn’t let up. Kasper Høgh opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, finishing a quick counter-attack after a mistake at the back, firing past Gianluigi Donnarumma. City barely had time to reset. Two minutes later, Høgh struck again, finishing cleanly to make it 2-0 and send the home crowd into full voice.
City looked short of sharpness and struggled with Bodø/Glimt’s high press. The hosts were quicker into tackles and more direct in transition, and City never really settled before the break.
Second Half: Hauge’s Rocket and a Red Card for Rodri
A Stunning Third Goal, Then Chaos
After half-time, the tempo stayed high. In the 58th minute, Jens Petter Hauge produced a moment of real quality. He carried the ball forward, left Rodri chasing back, then curled a long-range shot into the top corner to make it 3-0.
Manchester City hit back almost straight away. Substitute Rayan Cherki scored in the 60th minute, driving a shot in from the edge of the box after a pass from Nico O’Reilly. For a moment, it felt like City might push on.
That hope didn’t last. Rodri was sent off after receiving two yellow cards in just 53 seconds for reckless challenges, leaving City with 10 men for the final half-hour. Bodø/Glimt stayed organised, defended their box well, and managed the closing stages with calm.
When the final whistle went, Aspmyra erupted. Bodø/Glimt had their famous win.
Guardiola’s Reaction: “Everything Is Going Wrong”
City’s Issues Show Again
After the match, Guardiola didn’t hide his frustration. “The game was tight until they scored early, but then everything went wrong in many details,” he said. “We have the feeling that everything is going wrong… we have to try and change it.” He pointed to how City are finding it hard to respond once things swing against them.
Erling Haaland, playing against a club from his home country, said the defeat was “fully deserved” and “not good enough.” The result adds to City’s poor run, with no Premier League win since late December, and more focus on their defensive mistakes.
For Bodø/Glimt, it’s a huge step on the European stage. Høgh’s finishing, Hauge’s quality, and the team’s discipline and work rate proved too much for one of the biggest names in the competition.
Bodø/Glimt Player Ratings and Key Stats
Standout Performers in Yellow
| Player | Position | Key Contribution | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nikita Haikin | Goalkeeper | Strong saves, controlled box | 8/10 |
| Brice Wembangomo | Defender | Solid defending | 7.5/10 |
| Jostein Gundersen | Defender | Calm under pressure | 8/10 |
| Odin Bjørtuft | Defender | Important interceptions | 7.5/10 |
| Fredrik Bjørkan | Defender | Positive overlapping runs | 8/10 |
| Sondre Fet | Midfielder | Assist for Hauge’s goal | 8.5/10 |
| Patrick Berg | Midfielder | Non-stop running, won battles | 8/10 |
| Jens Petter Hauge | Midfielder | Brilliant goal, constant threat | 9/10 |
| Kasper Høgh | Forward | Two goals in two minutes | 9.5/10 |
| Others (team avg) | – | High press, strong discipline | 8/10 |
Bodø/Glimt had good spells on the ball, played forward with purpose, and won key midfield duels. They also looked comfortable in conditions that unsettled the visitors.
Manchester City Player Ratings and Key Stats
A Night to Forget for City
| Player | Position | Key Contribution | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gianluigi Donnarumma | Goalkeeper | Little chanceofn the goals | 6/10 |
| Rico Lewis | Defender | Found it hard against counters | 5.5/10 |
| Rúben Dias | Defender | Caught out at times | 6/10 |
| Joško Gvardiol | Defender | Mixed display | 6.5/10 |
| Rodri | Midfielder | Sent off (two yellows in 53s) | 4/10 |
| Nico O’Reilly | Midfielder | Assist for Cherki | 6.5/10 |
| Rayan Cherki | Forward | Took his goal well | 7/10 |
| Erling Haaland | Forward | Isolated, no shots on target | 5.5/10 |
| Others (team avg) | – | Loose marking, costly turnovers | 5.8/10 |
The city’s problems were clear. They gave away chances too easily, lost control after the sending off, and didn’t create enough for Haaland.
What’s Next
Qualification Pressure for City, Momentum for Bodø/Glimt
The defeat harms City’s push for a top-eight finish in the league phase, although they stay in the mix ahead of hosting Galatasaray. For Bodø/Glimt, the win lifts their hopes of reaching the next stage and adds weight to their growing reputation as giant-killers.
In the Arctic cold, a small Norwegian club showed that sharp tactics, hard running, and brave finishing can beat money and reputation.
