Manchester City suffered a stunning 3-1 defeat to Norwegian minnows Bodo/Glimt in the UEFA Champions League at the Aspmyra Stadion, marking one of the biggest upsets in recent European football. The loss has intensified scrutiny on Pep Guardiola, whose side has struggled for consistency since the start of 2026, with disappointing Premier League results and a 2-0 derby defeat to Manchester United compounding the pressure.
Bodo/Glimt, making their Champions League group-stage debut, delivered a near-perfect performance. Kasper Høgh scored twice before halftime, and Jens Petter Hauge added a third in the second half, while Rayan Cherki netted a consolation for City. The match turned further against Manchester City when Rodri was sent off, leaving them with ten men and effectively ending any hopes of a comeback.
The defeat not only stunned the small Arctic club but also threatened City’s automatic qualification for the last 16. For Bodo/Glimt, based in a town of just 55,000, the victory marked their first-ever Champions League win and a historic milestone. Guardiola acknowledged the challenges, noting that results have not gone City’s way since the start of the year, and emphasized the need to regroup ahead of upcoming matches against Wolves and Galatasaray.
The defeat has reignited speculation about Guardiola’s long-term future, despite his contract running through 2027. Manchester City’s fate in the group now likely hinges on their final match against Galatasaray at the Etihad, while Bodo/Glimt travel to Atletico Madrid with momentum from their landmark triumph.
