The UEFA Champions League produced one of its most extraordinary nights in recent history as Bodo/Glimt stunned Manchester City in the Arctic Circle, Gabriel Jesus inspired Arsenal to a big win at Inter Milan.
From frozen pitches in Norway to emotional scenes in Milan, Gameweek 7, Day 2 delivered drama on every front and major European giants either surged forward or stumbled badly across the continent.
Bodo/Glimt Freeze Manchester City in Historic Arctic Upset
Norwegian debutants, Bodo/Glimt claimed one of the biggest upsets in Champions League history, defeating Manchester City 3–1 in brutal -9°C conditions at Aspmyra Stadium.
Playing on an artificial surface in the Arctic Circle, Pep Guardiola’s youthful City side looked completely overwhelmed, suffering another humiliation just days after losing the Manchester derby to United.
First-Half Blitz Stuns City
Glimt took a shock lead in the 22nd minute when Ole Didrik Blomberg’s looping cross to the back post was headed home by Kasper Høgh.
City’s problems deepened just two minutes later. Young defender Max Alleyne, already culpable for the opener after stepping too high up the pitch, miscontrolled the ball in his own half.
Blomberg pounced again, cutting the ball across the box for Høgh to fire a first-time finish and make it 2–0.
Høgh nearly completed a first-half hat-trick, sliding in at the far post before his effort was heroically smothered on the line by Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Meanwhile, Erling Haaland’s nightmare return to Norway continued, summed up by a glaring miss from eight yards shortly before half-time as his drought from open play stretched to a month.
Hauge Magic, Rodri Red, No Way Back
The second half saw Glimt move into dreamland as Jens Petter Hauge curled a sensational solo effort into the top corner, sending the home crowd into delirium.
City briefly rallied through Rayan Cherki, but any hopes of a comeback were extinguished when Rodri was sent off for two bookable offences.
There was no recovery from there.
City now must beat Galatasaray in their final group game to secure a top-eight finish, while Glimt remain alive in the race for the play-off round.
Guardiola admitted afterwards:
“Everything is going wrong.”
Fairytale Continues: Bodo/Glimt Make History
Just 10 years ago, Bodo/Glimt were playing in Norway’s second division. This is their first-ever Champions League campaign, and before City arrived, they had never won a main-stage match.
They had:
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Never beaten an English team in six previous attempts
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Drawn against Tottenham earlier this season
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Reached the Europa League semi-finals last term
All that changed in astonishing fashion.
The home fans, dressed in yellow and black, twirled scarves as Glimt secured a result that keeps them alive ahead of a daunting trip to Atletico Madrid.
Player of the Match: Kasper Høgh (No. 9)
Gabriel Jesus Fires Arsenal to San Siro Glory
At the San Siro, Gabriel Jesus delivered an emotional masterclass as Arsenal beat Inter Milan 3–1, maintaining a 100% Champions League record and sealing a top-two finish.
Jesus Double Sets Records
Arsenal dominated early and took the lead in the 10th minute when Jesus poked home from close range.
Inter responded through Petar Sucic, who bent a powerful strike past David Raya after Nicolo Barella’s shot was blocked.
But Arsenal struck back from their most lethal weapon, a set-piece. In the 31st minute, Leandro Trossard headed Bukayo Saka’s corner back into the area for Jesus to nod home his second.
It marked:
Substitute Viktor Gyokeres sealed the win late with a fine curling strike.
“It’s a Dream Night” – Gabriel Jesus
After the match, an emotional Jesus said:
“It’s a dream night. I always dreamed of being a footballer.”
“I watched a lot of Serie A when I was a kid, so to be here in this stadium and score here is tears in my eyes.”
Reflecting on his long injury layoff, he added:
“There is always a reason that things happen, whether it’s good things or difficult things.”
“I learned that during my 11 months out of the field.”
On the performance:
“Tonight we played better than them, we controlled them… We scored at the end and got the three points.”
“We have to keep going.”
Manager Mikel Arteta also praised his striker:
“We have been missing Gabi a lot. Viktor comes in and makes a great impact and it only makes us better.”
Player of the Match: Gabriel Jesus (No. 9)
Frank Finds Breathing Space as Spurs Beat Dortmund
Under pressure, Thomas Frank earned a crucial lifeline as Tottenham beat Borussia Dortmund 2–0, aided by a dominant first half and a red card for the visitors.
Goals from Cristian Romero and Dominic Solanke put Spurs in control before Daniel Svensson was sent off following a VAR review for a high boot.
The result leaves Tottenham fourth with one game remaining and well-placed to qualify automatically.
PSG Stunned in Lisbon Despite Dominance
Champions League holders, Paris Saint-Germain suffered a shock 2–1 defeat to Sporting Lisbon, despite enjoying over 70% possession and registering 28 shots.
After Luis Suárez opened the scoring, substitute Khvicha Kvaratskhelia equalised with a stunning curler. But in the 90th minute, Suárez struck again after Lucas Chevalier spilled a long-range effort.
PSG had three goals ruled out, compounding their frustration.
McTominay Shines as Napoli Slip
Scott McTominay scored again as Napoli drew 1–1 with 10-man Copenhagen, dealing a blow to their qualification hopes.
The Scottish midfielder’s header was his fourth Champions League goal this season, making him joint top Scottish scorer in the competition’s history.
Napoli now must beat Chelsea on the final matchday to stay alive.
Mbappé Double as Real Madrid Cruise
Kylian Mbappé scored twice as Real Madrid thrashed Monaco, handing new coach Álvaro Arbeloa his first Champions League win.
Mbappé now has 13 goals in 15 games against Monaco and leads this season’s Champions League scoring charts.
Elsewhere: Key Results
Champions League Gameweek 7, Day 2 Fixtures
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Galatasaray vs Atletico Madrid
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Qarabağ vs Eintracht Frankfurt
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Atalanta vs Athletic Club
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Bayern Munich vs Union Saint-Gilloise
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Chelsea vs Pafos
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Juventus vs Benfica
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Marseille vs Liverpool
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Newcastle United vs PSV
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Slavia Prague vs Barcelona
