⚽ UEFA Champions League 2025‑26 – Round Of 16 Second Leg: Sporting 5-0 Bodø/Glimt

Sporting CP completed a historic comeback on 17 March 2026, defeating Bodø/Glimt 5–0 after extra time to advance to the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals with a 5–3 aggregate score.

Sporting

5

Final

Wed, Mar 18

0

Bodø/Glimt

Match Overview

Entering the second leg at the Estádio José Alvalade, Sporting faced a daunting 3–0 deficit from the first leg in Norway. They became only the fifth team in Champions League history to successfully overturn a three-goal first-leg deficit. Sporting dominated the match statistically, recording 38 shots (14 on target) with an expected goals (xG) of 3.35.

Goals and Key Moments

• 34th Minute: Gonçalo Inácio (1–0) – The comeback began when Inácio headed home a cross from Francisco Trincão following a corner.
• 61st Minute: Pedro "Pote" Gonçalves (2–0) – After a quick counter-attack, Luis Suárez squared the ball for Gonçalves, who fired it into the roof of the net.
• 78th Minute: Luis Suárez (3–0) – Following a VAR review for a handball by Fredrik Bjørkan, Suárez converted the penalty to level the tie on aggregate.
• 92nd Minute: Maximiliano Araújo (4–0) – Just 83 seconds into extra time, Araújo swerved a finish past Nikita Haikin to give Sporting the aggregate lead for the first time.
• 121st Minute: 
  Rafael Nel
   (5–0) – Making his Champions League debut, the substitute scored in the final moments of extra time to seal the victory.

Bodø/Glimt’s "Fairytale" Ends

The defeat ended a remarkable run for the Norwegian champions, who had previously beaten Manchester City, Atletico Madrid, and Inter Milan in their debut campaign. Despite their 3–0 home win, they were unable to withstand Sporting's relentless pressure in Lisbon, managing only a few chances, including an Odin Bjørtuft header that hit the woodwork twice.

Historical Significance

This victory marked the first time Sporting CP reached the Champions League (or European Cup) quarter-finals since the 1982–83 season. They will face Arsenal in the quarterfinal, who later beat Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 at Emirates Stadium.