In a result that has sent shockwaves through European football, Bodø/Glimt vs Manchester City ended in a humiliating 3-1 defeat for the English champions, marking the first-ever Arctic victory in the competition. On a freezing Tuesday night at the Aspmyra Stadion, the Norwegian underdogs dismantled a disjointed City side, deepening a midwinter crisis that has left manager Pep Guardiola admitting that "everything is going wrong." The historic upset was compounded by a bizarre red card for Rodri and the continuation of Erling Haaland's worrying goal drought, prompting the City squad to take the unprecedented step of personally refunding the 374 traveling supporters who braved the sub-zero temperatures.
A Nightmare in the North: How Bodø/Glimt Made History
For Bodø/Glimt, this was not just a win; it was the greatest night in the club's history. Playing north of the Arctic Circle, the Norwegian champions capitalized on Manchester City's fragility with a fearless display of counter-attacking football. The hero of the first half was Kasper Høgh, who struck twice in quick succession to leave the visitors reeling.
Høgh's opener in the 22nd minute exposed City's defensive vulnerabilities, but it was his second goal just two minutes later that truly stunned the traveling faithful. City, missing key defenders like Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol due to a deepening injury crisis, looked shell-shocked. However, the defining moment of the match arrived in the 58th minute. Jens Petter Hauge, the former AC Milan winger, produced a moment of magic, curling an unstoppable effort into the top corner to make it 3-0. It was a goal worthy of winning any Arctic Champions League match, sending the 12,000 home fans into delirium.
Rodri Red Card and Guardiola's Crisis
If the scoreline was bad, the manner of City's implosion was worse. Just moments after Rayan Cherki offered a glimmer of hope with a consolation goal in the 60th minute, disaster struck for the visitors. Rodri, the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner and typically the team's most composed figure, received two yellow cards in the space of just 53 seconds.
The midfielder was first booked for a cynical trip on Håkon Evjen, and almost immediately after the restart, he hauled down Ole Didrik Blomberg, leaving referee Sven Jablonski no choice but to brandish the red card. It was a moment of madness that encapsulated the current Pep Guardiola Manchester City slump. Speaking post-match, a visibly dejected Guardiola offered a brutal assessment of his team's form.
"We have the feeling that everything is going wrong in many details," Guardiola admitted to reporters. "The results since the start of 2026 are not good. We are fragile right now. Rodri's red card was soft, but when you are 3-1 down and lose a man one minute later, the game is gone."
The Erling Haaland Goal Drought Continues
Compounding City's misery was another toothless display from Erling Haaland. Returning to his native Norway, the striker was desperate to end a barren run that has now seen him go seven games without scoring from open play. Despite the Erling Haaland goal drought, he remained an isolated figure, registering minimal touches and failing to test the Bodø goalkeeper significantly.
Haaland's frustration was palpable. He was seen shaking his head frequently and exchanging heated words with teammates as passes went astray. "It was embarrassing," Haaland said briefly after the match, acknowledging that his current form is far below the sky-high standards he has set since arriving at the Etihad.
Players Refund Fans After "Embarrassing" Defeat
In a rare and significant gesture of apology, the Manchester City squad announced on Wednesday morning that they would personally refund the ticket costs for all 374 fans who made the arduous journey to Bodø. The decision was led by the team's leadership group, including Haaland, Rodri, Ruben Dias, and Bernardo Silva.
The Manchester City refund fans initiative will see the players cover the £9,357 total cost of the tickets. In a joint statement, the players expressed their remorse: "Our supporters mean everything to us. We know the sacrifice they make to travel across the world, especially in these freezing conditions. Covering the cost of these tickets is the least we can do after such a difficult evening."
Kevin Parker, general secretary of City’s official supporters’ club, welcomed the move, noting that it reinforced the bond between the squad and the fanbase despite the recent poor results. The gesture has been widely praised, but it does little to mask the growing concern regarding the team's on-pitch performances.
What's Next for Manchester City?
The defeat leaves Manchester City in a precarious position. having won only two of their last seven matches across all competitions. They now face a quick turnaround with a Premier League clash against Wolves on Saturday, followed by a must-win Champions League fixture against Galatasaray. With an injury list that includes 14 senior players and a suspension now looming for Rodri, Guardiola faces the toughest test of his recent tenure to salvage the season.
