The Champions League knockout phase erupted into chaos this week, delivering a night of historic upsets that has shaken the foundations of European football. In a stunning turn of events, Norwegian underdogs Bodo/Glimt vs Inter Milan ended in a shock 3-1 victory for the hosts, while Newcastle United's Anthony Gordon etched his name into the history books with a four-goal masterclass. These results, combined with Galatasaray’s 5-2 demolition of Juventus, have signaled that the 2026 knockout stages will be anything but predictable.
Bodo/Glimt Freeze Out Inter Milan in Arctic Upset
In what is arguably the biggest shock of the UCL Round of 16 so far, reigning Serie A champions and last season's European runners-up Inter Milan were left out in the cold—literally and figuratively. Traveling to the Arctic Circle to face Bodo/Glimt, the Italian giants were expected to dominate but instead found themselves overwhelmed by the Norwegian side's intensity and precision.
The match at the Aspmyra Stadion saw Sondre Brunstad Fet open the scoring early, sending the home crowd into a frenzy. Although Inter briefly equalized through young talent Pio Esposito, the second half belonged entirely to the hosts. Quick-fire goals from Jens Petter Hauge and Kasper Hogh within a three-minute span stunned the Nerazzurri, sealing a famous 3-1 win. For a team that contested the final just a year ago, Inter now faces a mountain to climb in the return leg at the San Siro.
Anthony Gordon Makes History with Four-Goal Haul
While Inter faltered, Newcastle United ran riot in Azerbaijan, dismantling Qarabag 6-1 in a performance defined by the brilliance of Anthony Gordon. The English winger became only the fourth player in Champions League history to score four goals in a single knockout match, joining an elite club of European legends.
Gordon was unplayable from the first whistle, netting his first goal after just three minutes. He completed a blistering first-half hat-trick in just 33 minutes—the fastest ever by an English player in the competition—before adding a fourth from the penalty spot. "It was just one of those nights where everything I touched turned to gold," Gordon said post-match. The 6-1 aggregate lead effectively books Newcastle’s place in the next round, barring a miraculous collapse, and serves as a warning shot to the rest of the competition.
Galatasaray vs Juventus: A Five-Goal Thriller in Istanbul
The drama wasn't confined to Northern Europe. In Istanbul, Galatasaray vs Juventus produced a seven-goal classic that left the Italian side reeling. Despite a brace from Teun Koopmeiners keeping Juve in the contest initially, a second-half collapse saw them concede five goals for the first time in their Champions League history.
Dutch winger Noa Lang was the architect of Juventus's destruction, scoring twice as Galatasaray capitalized on a red card for Juan Cabal to run out 5-2 winners. The atmosphere at Rams Park was electric as Davinson Sanchez and Sacha Boey added to the scoreline, leaving Juventus needing a near-impossible turnaround in Turin.
Round of 16 Shocks: A New Order Emerging?
These Champions League results 2026 suggest a significant shift in the balance of power. With traditional heavyweights like Juventus and Inter Milan suffering heavy defeats to perceived "lesser" opposition, the gap between Europe's elite and the challengers appears to be closing.
Elsewhere, Bayer Leverkusen continued their impressive form with a composed 2-0 win over Olympiacos, while Club Brugge held Atletico Madrid to a pulsating 3-3 draw, proving that no team is safe in this year's tournament. As the second legs approach, fans are bracing for more soccer breaking news and potential giant-killings.
For now, the headlines belong to Bodo/Glimt and Anthony Gordon—proof that in the Champions League, reputation counts for nothing once the whistle blows.
