Bodø/Glimt Qualifies for Champions League for Second Consecutive Year

Norwegian club Bodø/Glimt secured their spot in the UEFA Champions League for the second year in a row after a commanding 3-0 home victory over Dutch side NEC Nijmegen on August 25, 2026, completing a 6-1 aggregate win. The match saw an early turning point when NEC's goalkeeper Gonzalo Alexandru was sent off with a direct red card in the third minute, leaving the Dutch team at a severe disadvantage. Bodø/Glimt opened the scoring just before halftime with a goal by Fredrik Bjørkan, followed by a second goal from Sondre Aukland three minutes later, effectively sealing the tie. The humiliation for NEC continued in the second half with an own goal by Davron Fonville in the 77th minute.

Last season, Bodø/Glimt made headlines by reaching the Champions League round of 16, including a victory over Inter Milan in the round of 32, and this year they have again proven their strength on the European stage. NEC Nijmegen, which featured Charón Sherry playing 45 minutes, will continue their European campaign in the UEFA Europa League.

Meanwhile, in another playoff match, Austrian champions LASK Linz staged a remarkable comeback against Scottish champions Celtic. After trailing by four goals on aggregate following an early Celtic goal, LASK Linz equalized late with a 91st-minute goal from substitute Florian Plakl, forcing the tie into extra time. This dramatic turnaround kept their hopes alive for Champions League qualification.

The matches took place on the same evening as Hapoel Be'er Sheva's painful elimination from the competition, highlighting a night of contrasting fortunes for clubs across Europe.