The UEFA Champions League knockout round playoffs took a dramatic turn this week as several teams secured their qualification for the round of 16. In a stunning upset at the San Siro, Norwegian side Bodø/Glimt defeated Internazionale 2-1 to advance with an aggregate victory, while Newcastle United and Bayer Leverkusen also booked their places in the next stage of Europe’s premier club competition.
Internazionale entered their home fixture needing to overturn a 3-1 deficit from the first leg against Bodø/Glimt. However, the Arctic Circle club delivered another impressive performance to eliminate the Italian giants from the Champions League. Meanwhile, Newcastle United successfully navigated past Qarabag, and Bayer Leverkusen advanced after eliminating Greek side Olympiacos in their respective ties.
Bodø/Glimt Stun Inter Milan at San Siro
The most surprising result of the evening came from Milan, where Bodø/Glimt completed a remarkable aggregate victory over Internazionale. The Norwegian champions, who held a two-goal advantage from the first leg, withstood pressure from the Serie A side to claim a 2-1 win on Italian soil. This result marks one of the most significant achievements in the club’s history and demonstrates the growing competitiveness of Scandinavian football on the European stage.
Internazionale struggled to break down Bodø/Glimt’s organized defense throughout the match. Despite playing in front of their home supporters, the Italian side could not produce the comeback performance required to progress in the Champions League knockout round playoffs. The Norwegian team’s tactical discipline and clinical finishing proved decisive in securing their historic qualification.
Newcastle United Advance Past Qarabag
Additionally, Newcastle United confirmed their progression to the round of 16 with a successful result against Azerbaijan’s Qarabag. The English Premier League club navigated the knockout round playoff tie to continue their European campaign. This advancement represents an important milestone for Newcastle as they continue to establish themselves among Europe’s elite clubs following significant investment in recent seasons.
The Magpies’ qualification ensures another lucrative tie in the next round. Their presence in the latter stages of the Champions League reflects the club’s ambitions to compete regularly in European competition moving forward.
Leverkusen Eliminate Olympiacos
In contrast, Bayer Leverkusen secured their spot in the Champions League round of 16 after successfully eliminating Greek giants Olympiacos. The German side’s progression adds another Bundesliga representative to the knockout stages. Leverkusen’s advancement demonstrates their continued growth under current management and their ability to compete against established European opposition.
The elimination of Olympiacos concludes the Greek club’s European campaign for this season. However, Leverkusen will look forward to discovering their next opponents when the draw for the round of 16 takes place.
What’s Next for Qualified Teams
The three clubs that secured qualification will now await the Champions League round of 16 draw to learn their next opponents. The draw date has not been officially confirmed by UEFA, though it typically takes place shortly after the conclusion of the knockout round playoff matches. All three teams will be eager to continue their European journeys as the competition enters its most prestigious phase.
