Bodo/Glimt knock Inter out of Champions League as Newcastle, Atletico reach last 16

San Siro, Milan — Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt produced one of the most seismic upsets in recent Champions League memory on Tuesday night, defeating Inter Milan 2-1 on the night and 5-2 on aggregate to march into the round of 16 and leave last season’s runners-up stunned on their own turf.

The Arctic Circle club, midway through their domestic off-season, arrived in Italy protecting a 3-1 advantage from the first leg and withstood an early Inter barrage before striking twice in the second half to extinguish any hope of a Nerazzurri comeback. Jens Petter Hauge, formerly of AC Milan, broke the deadlock in the 58th minute after Inter defender Manuel Akanji coughed up possession, allowing Ole Blomberg to force a save that Hauge tucked home. Hakon Evjen doubled the visitors’ lead 13 minutes later, effectively sealing the tie before Alessandro Bastoni’s stoppage-time consolation.

Inter, 10 points clear atop Serie A and three-time European kings, exit in the knockout-phase play-offs after a campaign that began with dreams of another final but ends in a sobering defeat to a side whose league finished in November. Bodo/Glimt, four-time Norwegian Eliteserien champions in the past five seasons, become the first Norwegian team to reach the Champions League last 16 since Rosenborg in 1997.

“We knew it would be very hard against Inter, who are a very strong team and played in the final last season,” said Hauge, whose side now await Friday’s draw where they will face either Sporting CP or Manchester City — the same City they humbled 3-1 in the league phase last month.

While Bodo/Glimt celebrated history, English giants Newcastle United booked their place in the last 16 with a 3-2 home win over Qarabag, sealing a 9-3 aggregate stroll. Sandro Tonali and Joelinton struck inside six minutes at St James’ Park, and though Camilo Duran pulled one back early in the second half, Sven Botman’s header restored a three-goal cushion on the night. Elvin Jafarguliyev’s late reply mattered little; Eddie Howe’s side advance to meet either Chelsea or Barcelona.

In the Spanish capital, Atletico Madrid never looked in danger of relinquishing their 3-3 first-leg result against Club Brugge, roaring to a 4-1 victory and 7-4 aggregate success. Alexander Sorloth stole the show with a hat-trick, opening the scoring after a pinpoint Jan Oblak clearance, then finishing twice in the final 14 minutes after Johnny Cardoso had restored Atletico’s lead following Joel Ordonez’s headed equaliser. Diego Simeone’s men will face either Tottenham or Liverpool next.

Bayer Leverkusen completed the night’s qualifiers, holding Olympiacos to a 0-0 draw that protected their 2-0 first-leg advantage. Xabi Alonso’s German champions now brace for a heavyweight meeting with either Arsenal or Bayern Munich when the draw is made on Friday.

Bodo/Glimt, Newcastle, Atletico and Leverkusen join an already star-studded last-16 lineup, ensuring the Champions League’s knockout phase will feature no shortage of drama — and at least one fairytale still being written under the northern lights.