Bodo/Glimt’s central striker Kasper Hogh struck twice in two first-half minutes for the Norwegian side as they caught out the Blues on the counter-attack to set up a famous victory. Jens Petter Hauge then curled a superb third for the home side before Rayan Cherki pulled a goal back from the edge of the box. However, City hopes of getting back into the match were hit when Rodri was shown a red card after picking up two quick yellows.In one of the most stunning upsets in UEFA Champions League history, Norwegian debutants FK Bodø/Glimt defeated English giants Manchester City 3-1 on January 20, 2026. The result, played out in sub-zero temperatures on an artificial pitch north of the Arctic Circle, has sent shockwaves through European football and compounded a miserable run of form for Pep Guardiola's side. Match Report The atmosphere at the 8,000-capacity Aspmyra Stadion was electric from the start, as the home side, well-rested after their league season ended in November, executed a near-flawless game plan based on belief, bravery, and rapid counter-attacks. City, by contrast, looked shaky and vulnerable, with a young defensive line struggling to cope with the occasion and conditions. The match turned midway through the first half with two quick-fire goals from Danish striker Kasper Høgh. In the 22nd minute, Høgh rose to meet a looping cross at the back post, heading past goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. Just two minutes later, a defensive error by City's Max Alleyne allowed Ole Didrik Blomberg to again tee up Høgh for a clinical finish.
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The second half brought no relief for City. In the 58th minute, Jens Petter Hauge scored a magnificent third goal, cutting inside and curling a superb strike into the top corner from distance, putting Bodø/Glimt in dreamland. City's immediate response came in the 60th minute when Rayan Cherki scored a consolation goal with a low, angled shot. However, any faint hopes of a comeback were extinguished just two minutes later when City's captain on the night, Rodri, received two yellow cards in just 53 seconds and was sent off. Bodø/Glimt continued to threaten, hitting the crossbar and having another goal disallowed, as the final whistle sealed a famous European night for the Norwegian club and a night to forget for the English champions. Analysis and Reaction The defeat marks a significant low point in Manchester City's season, following a weekend loss in the Manchester derby. The result leaves their hopes of automatic Champions League qualification in doubt, requiring a victory in their final group game against Galatasaray to secure a top-eight finish. Much of the post-match discussion focused on City's frailties, from individual defensive errors to the impact of the artificial pitch and freezing temperatures. Manager Pep Guardiola, who has seen his side win only two of their seven games in 2026, must now find a way to "change the dynamic quick" ahead of crucial upcoming fixtures. For Bodø/Glimt, a club playing in the second tier of Norwegian football just a decade ago, this victory over one of Europe's elite represents a fairytale moment, their first-ever win in the Champions League proper, and a testament to their brave approach to the game.
Man City
