Soccer
Ranking the five biggest Champions League knockout upsets of all time after Bode/Glimt triumph over Inter
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Bode/Glimt continued their fairy tale run in this season's Champions League, dumping last year's runners-up Inter Milan out of Europe.
The Norweigan minnows headed to Milan with a two-goal advantage from the first leg, with many expecting them to falter against Serie A's runaway leaders. Instead, the Champions League first-timers completed the job with a 2-1 win at the San Siro in one of the biggest-ever upsets seen in the competition.
But, where does the result rank against some of these memorable knockout upsets in the Champions League?
Monaco oust Manchester United, 1997-98
Few shocks in the early years of the modern Champions League resonated like Monaco’s elimination of Manchester United in the 1997-98 quarter-finals. United arrived as favourites, boasting a star-studded squad and continental pedigree, but left stunned after a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford and a goalless stalemate in France.
Monaco’s disciplined defending and clinical opportunism sent Sir Alex Ferguson’s side packing, long before the era of regular blockbuster upsets.
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Porto topple Manchester United, 2003-04
Jose Mourinho’s Porto – a team built on tactical nous and collective resolve rather than big names – delivered arguably one of the most underrated shocks of the Champions League era. In the 2003-04 round of 16, Porto drew 1-1 at Old Trafford and then won 2-1 at home, ending United’s hopes and announcing themselves on the European stage.
Mourinho’s touchline celebrations became emblematic of a seismic shift: the era when Portuguese clubs could genuinely mix it with the giants of Europe and the “Special One” earned his moniker.
Deportivo La Coruna’s unforgettable comeback, 2003-04
If Porto’s victory was a warning sign, Deportivo’s demolition of AC Milan in the same season remains one of the Champions League’s greatest two-leg comebacks.
After being thumped 4-1 by the reigning European champions in the San Siro, Deportivo produced a stunning 4-0 win at home to progress 5-4 on aggregate. It was a night when belief and momentum overwhelmed experience and reputation – a script rarely seen on Europe’s biggest stage.
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Barcelona’s Remontada vs PSG, 2016-17
The modern era’s flagship upset came in 2017 when FC Barcelona overturned a 4-0 first-leg deficit against Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16. At the Camp Nou, Barca produced a 6-1 victory – now simply referred to as La Remontada – with Neymar, Luis Suarez and co. delivering one of the most improbable turnarounds in football history.
It wasn’t just the scale of the comeback but the stage and stature of the clubs involved that made this so remarkable.
Youthful Ajax upset Real Madrid, 2018-19
In an era when Real Madrid seemed almost genetically programmed to excel in the Champions League, Ajax’s 2018-19 round of 16 tie was a stunning disruption.
Erik ten Hag’s youthful Ajax side defied expectations by thumping Madrid 4-1 at the Bernabeu before a thrilling 2-1 Real win at the Johan Cruyff Arena saw the Dutch team progress 5–3 on aggregate. It was a triumph not just of tactics but of fearlessness, as a generation of talents announced themselves on Europe’s grandest stage.
Full Champions League fixture list for knockout play-offs
Tuesday, 24 February
- Atletico Madrid 4-1 Club Brugge
- Bayer Leverkusen 0-0 Olympiakos
- Inter Milan 1-2 Bodo/Glimt
- Newcastle United 3-2 Qarabag
Wednesday, 25 February
- Atalanta vs Borussia Dortmund
- Juventus vs Galatasaray
- Paris Saint-Germain vs Monaco
- Real Madrid vs Benfica
How to watch the Atletico Madrid vs Club Brugge in the USA on DAZN
Soccer fans in the US can watch Atletico Madrid vs Club Brugge in the Champions League in Spanish language as part of their DAZN subscription package.
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Fans can watch extra Champions League games in Spanish on ViX. A selection of those matches are also available on UNIMÁS and TUDN.
How to watch the Champions League in New Zealand on DAZN
Every Champions League game during the 2025-26 season is streamed in high definition and comes as part of a DAZN subscription.
An annual subscription costs $14.99 per month for 12 months and also provides access to 185 fight nights a year across boxing, MMA, PFL, BKFC, Glory and much more.
How to watch the Champions League in Canada on DAZN
Watch every game of the Champions League this season in Canada with a DAZN subscription.
There are three subscription options, each offering a different selection of sports. Access to every Champions League match is included in all three package offerings, ranging from $29.99 to $44.99 per month (for 12 months)
