Sporting complete stunning comeback to end Bodo Glimt’s Champions League run
Sporting overturned a three goal first leg deficit on Tuesday to defeat Bodo Glimt in extra time and reach the champions league quarter finals, sealing a dramatic turnaround in Portugal.
Trailing 3-0 from the first leg, Sporting began aggressively and reduced the deficit when Goncalo Inacio headed home in the first half to make it 3-1 on aggregate.
The hosts continued to press and moved within one goal of levelling the tie when Luis Suarez set up Pedro Goncalves, who fired into the roof of the net.
The equaliser on aggregate came from the penalty spot after a handball decision against Fredrik Bjorkan, with Suarez converting to cap sustained pressure.
Sporting pushed for a winner in normal time, with Nuno Santos striking the post, but the tie moved into extra time.
Maxi Araujo put Sporting ahead on aggregate two minutes into extra time before Rafael Nel added a late goal to complete the comeback and secure progression.
Bodo Glimt, playing in their first champions league knockout campaign, had arrived in a commanding position after their first leg victory and were among the standout stories of the competition.
They had earlier defeated Inter Milan in the play offs and became the first Norwegian side to reach this stage.
Despite a resilient defensive display and a first half effort from Odin Bjortuft that struck the woodwork, the Norwegian side struggled to withstand sustained pressure as Sporting launched “wave after wave of attacks” in the second half.
Sporting’s comeback placed them among a small number of teams to recover from a three goal first leg deficit in the competition’s history.
At full time, several Bodo Glimt players were in tears as their run came to an end, but they leave the competition having exceeded expectations and “with their heads held high” after a historic campaign.
