Bodo/Glimt overpower Sporting to extend fairy tale Champions League start

Bodo/Glimt kept their magical first Champions League journey alive by defeating Sporting Lisbon 3-0 on Wednesday, positioning themselves strongly for a quarter final spot.

The Norwegian side secured an impressive fifth straight victory in the tournament during this last 16 first leg at Aspmyra Stadion.

Sondre Brunstad Fet opened the scoring from the penalty spot shortly after the 30 minute mark, with Ole Didrik Blomberg doubling the lead right before halftime.

Kasper Hogh netted his fifth goal in the competition across five matches with 19 minutes left, igniting joyous scenes among the crowd.

Bodo had already stunned Manchester City and Atletico Madrid to advance from the league stage, followed by triumphs over Inter Milan both home and away in the playoff round.

These newcomers to the Champions League now hold the advantage heading into the last eight, where they could face Bayer Leverkusen or Arsenal, before the return fixture in Portugal next Tuesday.

Sporting aim to make the quarter finals for the first time since 1983, having unexpectedly finished seventh in the league phase to directly enter the last 16, yet they require an extraordinary turnaround in the second leg.

Bodo began with energy, nearly scoring in the eighth minute as Blomberg broke through and crossed for Jens Petter Hauge, whose shot from the in form striker sailed just wide.

Sporting posed their initial threat on a quick break soon after Bodo's Hakon Evjen was stopped by the advancing Rui Silva, though Luis Guilherme's effort was comfortably saved by keeper Nikita Haikin.

The home team earned their reward in the 29th minute via a penalty after Georgios Vagiannidis fouled Sondre Fet, who converted it coolly by deceiving Silva.

Bodo added a second in stoppage time at the end of the first half, Blomberg slotting it home and celebrating with a backflip.

After the break, Sporting controlled possession more but failed to generate clear opportunities.

Bodo remained a constant threat, and Hogh, who previously scored against Man City, Atletico, and Inter, finished off Blomberg's low delivery from near the goal line to seal yet another outstanding performance by the Scandinavian minnows.