FK Bodø/Glimt continued their fairytale debut campaign in the UEFA Champions League with an impressive 3–0 victory over Sporting CP in the first leg of their round of 16 clash.
Playing at the Aspmyra Stadion in Norway, the home side recorded their fifth consecutive win in the competition, putting themselves in a strong position ahead of the return leg in Portugal.
Sondre Brunstad Fet opened the scoring in the 29th minute from the penalty spot after a foul by Georgios Vagiannidis. Fet calmly converted the spot kick, sending Sporting goalkeeper Rui Silva the wrong way.
Just before halftime, Ole Didrik Blomberg doubled the advantage for the Norwegian champions, finishing neatly into the corner and celebrating with a back-flip that delighted the home crowd.
The hosts sealed the victory in the 71st minute when Kasper Høgh converted a low cross from Blomberg. The goal marked Høgh’s fifth in as many Champions League games this season.
Bodø/Glimt’s remarkable run has already included surprise victories over European heavyweights such as Manchester City and Atlético Madrid, as well as home-and-away wins against Inter Milan in the knockout play-off round.
With the commanding first-leg result, the Norwegian side are now strong favourites to progress to the quarter-finals, where either Bayer Leverkusen or Arsenal FC could await.
For Sporting, who are seeking their first Champions League quarter-final appearance since 1983, the second leg will require a major comeback to keep their hopes alive. ⚽
