Nobody expected this to be a simple night for NEC. Bodø/Glimt have built a strong reputation on the European stage under coach Kjetil Knutsen, most notably last season when they stunned Italian champions Inter Milan on their way to the Champions League quarter-finals.

Early Scare and a Slow Start
The match began cautiously before a dramatic moment arrived in the 11th minute, when Bodø were awarded a penalty after the ball struck Bryan Pereira's arm.

A VAR check, however, revealed that Jens Petter Hauge had also handled the ball just before it hit Pereira, and the decision was scrapped.

Bodø showed glimpses of the quality that took them deep into last season's competition. In the 17th minute, a well-worked move nearly ended with Andreas Helmersen heading home, only for goalkeeper Gonzalo Crettaz to make a fine stop.

NEC responded soon after, with Tjarron Chery forcing Nikita Haikin into a save that was pushed away for a corner in the 22nd minute.

The breakthrough for the visitors came in the 25th minute. Hauge slipped a pass through to Sondre Brunstad Fet, who finished neatly into the near corner to put Bodø ahead.

Chery almost leveled things on the half-hour mark with a low effort that Haikin did well to gather at the second attempt.

NEC's best opening of the first half fell to Noe Lebreton in the 34th minute, after Chery whipped in a dangerous cross. Un.