Champions League
Milan, Feb 19: Norwegian minnows Bodø/Glimt continued their fairytale run in the UEFA Champions League with a stunning 3-1 victory over last season’s runners-up Inter Milan in the playoff first leg on Wednesday.
The result gives the Scandinavian side a crucial two-goal cushion heading into next week’s return leg in Italy and further cements their reputation as this season’s giant-slayers.
Having already defeated Manchester City and Atletico Madrid in the league phase, Bodø/Glimt once again defied expectations with a fearless display against the Serie A leaders.
Sondre Fet opened the scoring in the 20th minute after latching onto a clever backheel from Kasper Høgh. Inter responded before the interval through Francesco Pio Esposito, but the hosts took firm control after the break.
Jens Petter Hauge restored the lead in the 61st minute from another Høgh assist, and the Danish forward added a goal of his own three minutes later to cap a memorable night.
“I feel amazing, just thankful to play with this team,” Høgh said. “I’m happy I could help with assists and a goal.”
Inter midfielder Petar Sucic admitted it was a disappointing outing but backed his team to respond at home. “It’s a bad result for us, but we need to stay calm and believe we can turn it around,” he said.
In Azerbaijan, Newcastle United all but sealed their place in the round of 16 with a commanding 6-1 demolition of Qarabag.
Anthony Gordon was the star of the show, netting four times in a breathtaking first-half performance at the Tofik Bakhramov Stadium.
Gordon completed his hat-trick inside 33 minutes and added a fourth in stoppage time before the interval, taking his tally to 10 goals in this season’s competition — a new club record, surpassing Alan Shearer’s previous mark of six in a single European campaign. “He could have had more, but it was a very good display,” manager Eddie Howe said.
Malick Thiaw also found the net as Newcastle raced to a 5-0 lead by halftime. Elvin Jafarguliyev pulled one back for the hosts, but Jacob Murphy’s deflected effort ensured the Premier League side carried a five-goal advantage into the second leg.
Elsewhere, Atletico Madrid were held to a dramatic 3-3 draw away at Club Brugge.
Julian Alvarez converted an early penalty before January recruit Ademola Lookman doubled the lead in first-half stoppage time. However, Brugge responded strongly in the second half through Raphael Onyedika and Nicolo Tresoldi.
An own goal by Joel Ordonez briefly restored Atletico’s advantage, only for Christian Tzolis to level late on and leave the tie delicately poised.
Bayer Leverkusen, meanwhile, took firm control of their clash with Olympiacos as Patrik Schick struck twice in a 2-0 away win, handing the German side a comfortable edge ahead of the return leg at home. (AP)
