McTominay Double Rescues Napoli in Seven-Goal UCL Thriller Against Bodo/Glimt

FolioPitch.com – 21 October 2026 | Scott McTominay produced a heroic two-goal performance to lift Napoli to their first Champions League points of the season, as the Partenopei edged Bodo/Glimt 4-3 in a pulsating encounter at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. The match will be remembered for UCL Napoli 4-3 Bodo Glimt McTominay to the rescue with first goals, a headline that perfectly captures the drama of a night when the Scottish midfielder broke his scoring duck after heart surgery and hauled his team back from the brink.

Napoli could not have wished for a better start. With just 54 seconds on the clock, Leonardo Spinazzola delivered a inviting cross from the left and Matteo Politano met it with a spectacular left-footed volley from 12 yards that flew into the roof of the net. It was the perfect tonic for a side in crisis, having lost their opening two Champions League fixtures to Arsenal and Villarreal, and then suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to rock-bottom Serie A side Venezia on Saturday.

However, Bodo/Glimt, who knocked Inter out in the play-offs last season, refused to roll over. The Norwegian champions grew into the game, dominating possession and equalising in the 27th minute through former Milan winger Jens Petter Hauge, who bent a first-time finish into the far bottom corner after a neat lay-off from Sondre Brunstad Fet. The visitors continued to press and nearly took the lead when Ole Didrik Blomberg threatened, but Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret stood firm.

Just before half-time, McTominay restored Napoli’s advantage with his first goal of the season, and his first since undergoing heart surgery. The midfielder played a quick give-and-go with Kevin De Bruyne, aided by a smart dummy from Noa Lang, and his finish took a hefty deflection off Jostein Gundersen to wrongfoot goalkeeper Nikita Haikin. It was a moment of relief for the 29-year-old, who has endured a difficult spell on the sidelines.

The second half was a rollercoaster. McTominay nearly doubled his tally on the hour mark, only to see his effort crash against the upright. Moments later, Bodo/Glimt equalised again when Andreas Helmersen was given too much time to turn and fire in from 12 yards. Meret then produced a huge save to deny Patrick Berg and keep the score level. But it was McTominay who had the final say, rising at the back post to nod in a Politano cross in the 76th minute and restore Napoli’s lead.

The drama was far from over. With 88 minutes gone, Giovane harassed Fredrik Sjovold into an error near the corner flag, and his low cross was intercepted by Odin Bjortuft, wrong-footing the goalkeeper to make it 4-2. But Bodo/Glimt refused to give up, and in the fourth minute of stoppage time, Bjortuft’s acrobatic volley bounced off the underside of the bar, allowing Brunstad Fet to make sure and set up a tense finale. The final whistle sparked scenes of relief around the stadium, as Napoli finally got their Champions League campaign up and running.

The victory was built on a gritty team performance, but it was McTominay’s contribution that stole the headlines. His two goals, coupled with a commanding display from De Bruyne in a deeper playmaking role, gave Napoli the edge in a game they largely controlled, despite Bodo/Glimt’s spirited resistance. The Norwegian side, who had beaten Borussia Dortmund and lost heavily to Bayern Munich earlier in the campaign, proved once again that they are no pushovers, but they were ultimately undone by the brilliance of McTominay.

For Napoli coach, the result will ease the pressure after a turbulent few weeks. Injuries to key players such as Alisson Santos, Antonio Vergara, David Neres, Costantino Favasuli and Alessandro Buongiorno had left the squad stretched, but the return of Frank Anguissa to the starting line-up provided a timely boost. The Partenopei now have their first three points in the competition and will look to build on this momentum in their upcoming fixtures.

In conclusion, UCL Napoli 4-3 Bodo Glimt McTominay to the rescue with first goals was a fitting summary of a night of high drama in Naples. McTominay’s brace, his first since heart surgery, not only secured a vital win but also underlined his importance to the team. Napoli’s Champions League hopes are alive, and if they can build on this performance, they may yet emerge as a force to be reckoned with. For Bodo/Glimt, the defeat was harsh but they can take heart from a brave display that pushed their hosts to the limit.