Manchester City endured one of the most humbling nights in recent European history on Tuesday as they were stunned 3-1 by Norwegian minnows Bodø/Glimt in the UEFA Champions League group stage at the Aspmyra Stadion. The result – one of the biggest upsets of this season’s competition – dealt a significant blow to City’s hopes of automatic progression to the knockout rounds and raised serious questions about their form under Pep Guardiola.
From the start, City looked off-colour. Bodø/Glimt, making only their second appearance in the Champions League, took the lead in emphatic fashion through Danish forward Kasper Høgh, who scored twice inside the space of two minutes in the 22nd and 24th minutes. The quick double stunned the visitors and sent the home crowd into raptures, celebrating what was already an unexpected advantage against the reigning Premier League champions.
City’s troubles were compounded in the second half. Just when it seemed they might find a foothold in the game, Jens Petter Hauge struck a superb third for Bodø/Glimt in the 58th minute, curling a precise shot beyond City’s defence to put the underdogs firmly in control. Only minutes later, Rayan Cherki pulled one back for City with a low, deflected effort in the 60th minute, giving Guardiola’s side a glimmer of hope.
However, that hope was short-lived. In a dramatic swing of events, Rodri was sent off in the 62nd minute after receiving two yellow cards in quick succession, leaving City to battle with 10 men for the remainder of the match. The dismissal extinguished any realistic chance of a comeback and amplified the sense of chaos around the visitors’ performance.
The defeat not only dents City’s continental ambitions but also continues a worrying dip in form for the club in 2026. Prior to Tuesday night, City had already struggled domestically with a loss in the Manchester derby at the weekend, and this setback in Norway now leaves their Champions League fate hanging in the balance ahead of the final group fixture against Galatasaray.
Guardiola, who has been one of football’s most successful managers over the last decade, will be forced into serious reflection after a night where his team were second best in virtually every department. Bodø/Glimt’s structured pressing, clinical finishing, and tactical discipline helped them neutralise City’s usually potent attacking threats, including Erling Haaland, who was largely quiet throughout the 90 minutes.
For Bodø/Glimt, the victory is historic – not only as their first ever Champions League win but as a statement that well-organised, spirited teams can still topple European heavyweights on their day. As for Manchester City, the focus now shifts to recovery and response, both in the Premier League and their must-win final Champions League fixture. The defeat in Norway will doubtless be a turning point in their season.
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