(VOICE OF NAIJA)- Bodo/Glimt continued their remarkable UEFA Champions League campaign with a 3–0 victory over Sporting CP in the first leg of their last-16 clash in Norway.
The Norwegian minnows recorded a fifth straight win in their debut season, having reached the play-off round after finishing 23rd in the league phase.
After failing to win their opening six matches, Bodo/Glimt stunned Europe with victories over Manchester City and Atletico Madrid before eliminating Inter Milan home and away.
Coach Kjetil Knutsen retained the same starting XI for the fifth consecutive match, matching a rare feat last achieved by AJ Auxerre 23 years ago.
Sporting, weakened by injuries and suspensions, struggled to cope with Bodo’s high-pressing style and patient build-up play.
Sporting striker Luis Suárez nearly opened the scoring early, his fifth-minute effort from a corner deflected over the bar on Aspmyra’s artificial pitch.
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At the other end, Jens Petter Hauge fired a volley narrowly wide after a neat pull-back from Håkon Evjen as the hosts increased pressure.
Goalkeeper Rui Silva denied Evjen with a quick charge off his line, while Bodo keeper Nikita Haikin saved a low strike from Luis Guilherme.
The breakthrough came in the 32nd minute after defender Georgios Vagiannidis fouled Sondre Fet following a deft touch by Kasper Høgh.
After a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review, Fet calmly converted the penalty, sending Silva the wrong way.
Bodo doubled their lead just before halftime when Ole Blomberg controlled a deflected ball superbly before finishing neatly.
Sporting improved after the break but wasted chances, with Suárez shooting wide and Francisco Trincão seeing a powerful effort blocked.
Bodo sealed victory in the 71st minute as Høgh bundled in a low cross from Hauge, while Hauge nearly added a fourth late on.
The second leg will take place next Tuesday at José Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon.
Bodo/Glimt will aim to complete the job and set up a quarter-final clash with either Arsenal or Bayer Leverkusen.
(NAN)
