Two Down, Never Out! Norwegian Heroes Snatch Dramatic Draw in Slavia Thriller
Champions League debutants Bodo/Glimt showed the world that they are here to fight. Down 2-0 away at Slavia Prague, the Norwegians produced a stunning late comeback to claim a precious point.
The Czech hosts thought they had done enough. Defender Youssoupha Mbodji scored twice, once in each half, and looked like the match-winner. But football never stops surprising us. Daniel Bassi pulled one back with 12 minutes to play before Sondre Fet unleashed a rocket in the 90th minute. Off the crossbar and in. Game over. Drama complete.
Mbodji the Hero… and the Villain
Slavia took control early. In the 23rd minute, Lukas Provod delivered a clever ball to the back post, and Mbodji tapped home. The home fans erupted. It was a dream start in Prague.
The Senegalese defender then doubled the lead in the 74th minute, again finishing from a Provod cross. It looked like a perfect night for Slavia.
But Mbodji’s evening was full of twists. He conceded a penalty just after the break, fouling Daniel Bassi. Kasper Høgh stepped up, but Jindrich Stanek in the Slavia goal made a brilliant save to keep his side ahead. The miss looked costly… until fate had other plans.
Bodo/Glimt Refuse to Die!
Bodo/Glimt didn’t fold. Far from it. Bassi, who had missed the penalty, turned hero in the 78th minute. A quick counter-attack left Slavia exposed, and Bassi calmly finished the rebound to make it 2-1.
Slavia pushed for a third, Provod even struck the post, but the Norwegians smelled blood.
Then, in the final minute, the ball dropped to Fet on the edge of the box. One strike. One rocket. Off the bar and into the net. The away fans went wild. The bench exploded. History had been written.
Keeper Haikin Saves the Day
While the headlines will go to Fet and Bassi, Bodo/Glimt’s goalkeeper Nikita Haikin deserves huge credit. He made several top saves to keep his team alive, frustrating Slavia’s attackers all night.
The Czech side will feel they should have won. They dominated possession, they created chances, and they thought they had a first-half penalty. But VAR ruled it out for a foul earlier in the move. In football, small details decide big games.
What Next?
Slavia now face a huge test away at Inter Milan. Meanwhile, Bodo/Glimt prepare to host Tottenham – the same club that ended their Europa League dream in last season’s semi-final.
Can the Norwegians go one step further this time? Or will Spurs prove too strong again?
