Champions League’s notable surprises: Bodo/Glimt adds to roster of upsetters

Bodo/Glimt achieved one of the most remarkable upsets in UEFA Champions League history by delivering an impressive performance across two matches to eliminate last season’s finalists, Inter Milan, from the knockout-round playoffs on Tuesday.

After securing a 3-1 victory in the first leg at home, the Norwegians replicated their success at San Siro, winning 2-1 to secure a place in the round of 16 against either Manchester City or Sporting CP.

Bodo/Glimt have already demonstrated their ability to defeat City this season, having handed Pep Guardiola’s team a 3-1 loss during the group stage, following a similar fate for fellow Champions League contenders Atlético Madrid at the hands of Kjetil Knutsen’s Nordic underdogs.

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Remarkably, the Champions League has constituted the only three competitive matches Bodo/Glimt has played in 2026 so far, as the Norwegian domestic season concluded in November to avoid winter play.

Describing Bodo/Glimt’s accomplishment as monumental would be an understatement—yet how does their elimination of three-time champions Inter compare to other significant Champions League knockout surprises?

1997-98: Monaco vs. Manchester United (1-1 on aggregate, Monaco win on away goals)

Monaco stunned Old Trafford in the second leg of the 1997-98 quarterfinals when an early goal provided the visitors with an unexpected lead against the Premier League giants. Following a goalless first leg, the Ligue 1 team took the lead just five minutes into the second half with a quick strike from David Trézéguet, compelling United to score twice to overcome the away-goals rule. Sir Alex Ferguson’s star-studded lineup, featuring David Beckham, Paul Scholes, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, struggled to find the net and could only manage one goal that evening. The final whistle saw United exit the field in disappointment before their incredulous supporters.

1998-99: Dynamo Kyiv vs. Real Madrid (3-1 agg.)

After a 1-1 draw in the first leg at the Bernabéu, Dynamo secured a historic 2-0 win at the Olympic Stadium, eliminating Real Madrid from the quarterfinals of the 1998-99 Champions League. Young star Andriy Shevchenko netted all three of Dynamo’s goals across the two matches and was subsequently signed by AC Milan the following season after finishing as the tournament’s top scorer.

2003-04: FC Porto vs. Manchester United (3-2 agg.)

After Porto secured a 2-1 victory at home in the first leg of their round-of-16 matchup against United, a vital equalizer from Costinha in the second leg at Old Trafford ultimately eliminated Sir Alex Ferguson’s team. The goal ignited jubilant celebrations from Porto coach José Mourinho, whose sprint down the touchline past his counterpart has since become a memorable moment in Champions League history.

2003-04: Deportivo La Coruña vs. AC Milan (5-4 agg.)

Deportivo appeared to be on the brink of elimination after losing 4-1 in the first leg of their 2003-04 quarterfinal against defending champions AC Milan, but they orchestrated one of the greatest comebacks in the competition’s history in the second leg. Goals from Walter Pandiani, Juan Carlos Valeron, Alberto Luque, and Fran saw Depor rise from the ashes to shock the Rossoneri at the Estadio Riazor, achieving an improbable 5-4 aggregate victory. Unfortunately, their journey ended abruptly in the semifinals when they were eliminated by eventual Champions League winners Porto.

2003-04: Monaco vs. Real Madrid (5-5 agg., Monaco win on away goals)

Real Madrid seemed poised to advance to the semifinals after defeating Monaco 4-2 at the Bernabéu in the first leg of the 2003-04 quarterfinals. The Ligue 1 team fell further behind 36 minutes into the second leg when Raúl scored, making it 5-2 on aggregate. However, Monaco rallied, gaining momentum as two goals from Ludovic Guily and a header from Fernando Morientes (who was on loan from Madrid at the time) propelled Didier Deschamps’s side to an unexpected aggregate victory.

2005-06: Villarreal vs. Inter Milan (2-2 agg., Villarreal win on away goals)

Entering the quarterfinals of their inaugural Champions League campaign with an 11-match unbeaten streak, Villarreal faced a disappointing 2-1 home loss in the first leg against Inter, ending their run. Nevertheless, Manuel Pellegrini’s resilient team bounced back in the second leg, winning with a solitary headed goal from Rodolfo Arruabarrena, which was sufficient to advance the Yellow Submarine to the semifinals on away goals.

2011-12: Apoel Nicosia vs. Lyon (1-1 agg., Apoel win 4-3 on penalties)

The 2011-12 round of 16 featured Lyon and Apoel exchanging 1-0 victories at home, leading to extra time in the second leg. The Cypriots, who had previously defeated teams like Zenit St Petersburg and Porto in the group stage, remained composed as the match progressed to penalties. Goalkeeper Dionisios Chiotis made crucial saves against Alexandre Lacazette and Michel Bastos, allowing Apoel to continue their fairytale run into the quarterfinals.

2016-17: Monaco v Manchester City (6-6 agg., Monaco win on away goals)

Manchester City seemed close to securing a spot in the quarterfinals after defeating Monaco 5-3 at the Etihad in the first leg of the round of 16 in 2016-17. All Pep Guardiola’s team needed to do was maintain their lead at the Stade Louis II, but a young striker named Kylian Mbappé had different plans. Monaco scored three goals at home, ensuring that a late consolation goal from Leroy Sané was insufficient for City to advance.

2018-19: Ajax vs. Real Madrid (agg. 5-3)

After finishing second in their group behind Bayern Munich, Ajax faced a formidable challenge in the round of 16 against the powerful Real Madrid. Marco Asensio seemed to have set Los Blancos on the path to the quarterfinals for the ninth consecutive season with a late winner in the first leg in Amsterdam. However, Erik ten Hag’s team was not finished yet, and a stunning 4-1 victory in the second leg shocked the Bernabéu, propelling the Dutch giants into the next round at Madrid’s expense.

2019-20: Lyon 3-1 Manchester City

The disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in all quarterfinals, semifinals, and the final of the 2019-20 Champions League season being held as single-leg matches in a mini-tournament in Portugal. Despite City striving for their first Champions League title, it was Lyon that took an early lead at Lisbon’s Estadio José Alvalade, maintaining it deep into the second half. Kevin De Bruyne managed to equalize for the Premier League side with 20 minutes remaining. However, rather than igniting a comeback for City, it was Lyon who found renewed energy, finishing the match with two late goals from former Fulham youth player Moussa Dembélé.