Rios Gifts Chelsea the Win; Spurs Hold Firm in a Bodø Thriller

The 1st set of matchday 2 of the UEFA Champions League delivered drama, grit, and a touch of irony as Chelsea and Tottenham navigated treacherous fixtures that had been billed as potential ambushes. While Chelsea escaped with a narrow win, Tottenham clawed back a draw in the Arctic chill of Bodø, both English sides showing resilience in the face of adversity.

Chelsea may have limped at home with a depleted squad and a form slump, but they emerged with three crucial points courtesy of a moment Benfica will want to forget. An 18th-minute own goal from Benfica midfielder Rios, under pressure proved decisive. Despite Chelsea’s 55% possession and superior passing accuracy (88% to Benfica’s 85%), the match was anything but comfortable. Benfica registered more attempts (9 to Chelsea’s 8), and both sides forced three saves apiece from their goalkeepers.

José Mourinho’s return to Benfica had stirred pre-match tension, but his side couldn’t convert promise into points. Pavlidis and Sudakov threatened, yet Chelsea’s stretched backline held firm. Joao Pedro’s red card in the 96th minute capped a feisty encounter that saw 10 yellow cards shared between the teams. Chelsea’s win, though scrappy, halts their losing streak and reasserts their European pedigree—even if the goal came from a Benfica boot. Mourinho’s tactical edge couldn’t overcome Chelsea’s defensive grit.

In the icy cauldron of Aspmyra Stadion, Tottenham flirted with defeat before salvaging a point in a pulsating 2–2 draw against Bodø/Glimt. The Norwegian side, famed for their arctic advantage, dominated large spells of the match. Hauge’s double in the 53rd and 66th minutes had Spurs reeling, as Bodø/Glimt outshot their visitors 17 to 8 and mounted 51 attacks to Tottenham’s 34. But Spurs, under Thomas Frank’s pragmatic stewardship, refused to wilt. Van de Van’s header at 68 minutes gave them hope, and a cruel own goal from Gunderson in the 89th minute sealed the comeback. Spurs have had to fight back to get draws in their last three games.

Both sides shared possession evenly and matched each other with two saves and 89% pass accuracy. Yet it was Bodø/Glimt who looked more dangerous, registering more attempts on target (4 to Spurs’ 3). Tottenham remain unbeaten in Europe, but this draw was a reminder: in Bodø, even giants can shiver. Spurs showed character, but Bodø/Glimt’s intensity and home conditions nearly froze their momentum.

As Matchday 2 concludes, the traps may not have sprung fully as both English sides avoided defeat, but neither looked invincible. 

Stadium-Pulse have got you covered.