FK Bodø/Glimt will take a commanding two-goal advantage to the second leg at San Siro after producing a stunning 3-1 victory over Inter Milan in their UEFA Champions League knockout stage play-off in Norway.

The Serie A leaders arrived in the Arctic Circle on a six-match winning streak and started brightly, with only a superb block from Jostein Gundersen denying Lautaro Martínez inside five minutes. Yet Inter’s early intensity soon faded, allowing the hosts to grow into the contest.

Bodø/Glimt made the breakthrough in the 20th minute with a beautifully crafted move. A clever flick from Kasper Høgh released Sondre Brunstad Fet, who kept his composure to drill past Yann Sommer and send the home crowd into raptures.

Inter responded swiftly. Matteo Darmian struck the upright from close range, while Nicolò Barella forced Nikita Haikin into action as the visitors pushed for an equaliser. Their pressure paid off on the half-hour mark when Barella’s delivery caused chaos in the box, and Pio Esposito reacted sharply to turn and fire beyond Haikin.

The Italians had chances to lead before the interval, with Darmian drawing a smart save from Haikin and Carlos Augusto flashing wide. At the other end, Sommer was required to parry a fierce Patrick Berg free-kick as the sides went in level.

The woodwork came to Glimt’s rescue again less than a minute into the second half. Haikin’s mis-kick fell kindly for Martínez, but his effort trickled agonisingly wide of the post. Moments later, the goalkeeper spilled an Augusto free-kick but recovered just in time to prevent further danger.

Inter’s profligacy proved costly. On the hour mark, Høgh found space on the edge of the area and squared for Jens Petter Hauge, whose powerful strike beat Sommer at his near post. Three minutes later, the Lightning Bolts struck again. Fet’s delicate chip released Ole Didrik Blomberg, who squared unselfishly for Høgh to tap into an empty net and cap a fine individual display.

Stunned, Inter struggled to mount a response and were fortunate not to concede a fourth when Sommer denied Andreas Helmersen on the counter-attack. Resolute defending in the closing stages ensured a famous European night for Bodø/Glimt, who become the first Norwegian side to win three consecutive Champions League matches.

For Inter, it was a first-ever defeat to Norwegian opposition — and they now face an uphill task in Milan if they are to keep their European campaign alive.