Bodo/Glimt have done it again. After shocking Manchester City earlier this month, the Norwegian champions pulled off another historic upset by defeating Atletico Madrid 2-1 in their own backyard. The victory secures Bodo a place in the Champions League playoffs, while Diego Simeone’s side misses out on the Top 8.
The Riyadh Air Metropolitano was silenced on Wednesday night as the visitors came from behind to topple the Spanish giants. Despite an early lead for Atletico, the Norwegians’ resilience and clinical finishing proved that their previous win over City was no fluke.
Sørloth Strikes First, but Bodo Respond
Everything seemed to be going according to plan for Los Colchoneros when Alexander Sørloth opened the scoring in the 15th minute. The Norwegian striker rose highest to meet a perfect David Hancko cross, powering his header past the keeper to give Atletico the lead.
However, Bodo/Glimt refused to be intimidated. In the 34th minute, Fredrik Bjørkan orchestrated a brilliant move down the flank, finding Fredrik Sjøvold, who fired a precise low shot into the bottom corner to beat Jan Oblak and level the score before the break.
Høgh Completes the Historic Turnaround
The decisive blow came in the 59th minute. As the Atletico defense failed to clear their lines, Kasper Høgh pounced on a loose ball and unleashed a powerful strike into the bottom left corner.
Simeone threw everything forward in the final half-hour, introducing Julián Álvarez and Nahuel Molina to find an equalizer. Despite the intense pressure, Bodo’s defense held firm, securing one of the most famous victories in the club’s history.
Final Standings and Playoff Implications
The result has major consequences for the final 36-team table:
- Atletico Madrid: Finished 14th place (13 points). They will be a seeded team in the playoffs but failed to clinch a direct Round of 16 spot.
- Bodo/Glimt: Climbed to 23rd place (10 points), securing their Cinderella story remains alive in the knockout stages.
The Draw: Both clubs will learn their fate this Friday (Jan 30) during the official UEFA draw.
Wilson Gaspar is a football analyst covering the UEFA Champions League, focusing on match previews, tactical reviews, and the performance of Europe’s top clubs throughout the competition.
