By Our Reporter
The number of days of Pep Guardiola at Man City are numbered, as Norwegian debutants, Bodø/Glimt claimed one of the biggest upsets in UEFA Champions League history with a stunning 3–1 victory over the English side at Aspmyra Stadion on Tuesday night.
Played in freezing Arctic conditions on an artificial pitch, the hosts took full advantage as City’s young side struggled to cope. Kasper Høgh scored twice in the first half to put Bodø/Glimt firmly in control, before Jens Petter Hauge added a sensational third after the break.
Bodø/Glimt opened the scoring in the 22nd minute when Ole Didrik Blomberg’s looping cross was headed home by Høgh. Just two minutes later, defensive errors from City allowed Blomberg to supply Høgh again, who finished confidently to make it 2–0.
City had chances to respond, but Erling Haaland failed to convert a close-range opportunity before half-time. The visitors’ problems deepened in the second half when Hauge curled a brilliant solo effort into the top corner to make it 3–0.
Rayan Cherki pulled one back for Manchester City shortly after, but any hopes of a comeback were ended when Rodri was sent off for two bookable offences. City were unable to recover with 10 men and suffered a deserved defeat.
The result marked Bodø/Glimt’s first-ever win over an English side and their first victory in the Champions League main stage. It also keeps their hopes of reaching the knockout play-off round alive ahead of their final group match against Atletico Madrid.
For Manchester City, the loss compounds a difficult start to 2026 and leaves Pep Guardiola’s side needing a win in their final group game against Galatasaray to secure a top-eight finish.