Mahrez double helps Leicester see off Club Brugge
Wednesday, September 14, 2016
Article summary
Riyad Mahrez scored twice as Premier League champions Leicester City opened their maiden UEFA Champions League campaign with a convincing victory in Belgium.
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Leicester City marked their first-ever UEFA Champions League game with a convincing 3-0 victory against Club Brugge in Group G.
Marc Albrighton gave the Premier League champions the perfect start early on with a neat close-range finish after Brugge failed to deal with a long Luis Hernandez throw. The visitors doubled their lead through Riyad Mahrez's stunning free-kick just before the half-hour mark, the Foxes' playmaker making it 3-0 with a second-half spot kick after Jamie Vardy had been brought down by home goalkeeper Ludovic Butelle.
José Izquierdo hit the post for the hosts as they tried and failed to force their way back into the match. Claudio Ranieri's men held on for a clean sheet to secure an ideal start to their campaign.
Key player: Riyad Mahrez (Leicester)
The Algerian rifled a beautiful free-kick in the top-left corner and was confident enough to convert his penalty by going down the middle. Last season's Premier League Player of the Year was always a threat up front, but also put in more than his fair share of hard work when out of possession.
Write Leicester off at your peril
Last term Leicester were THE surprise in England, perhaps all over Europe. That unlikeliest of title triumphs is what led to tonight's hugely impressive UEFA Champions League debut – the miracle continues for Ranieri's charges. Keeping most of last season's side together looks to be paying off for now – how far can they go?
Reporter's view
Berend Scholten (@UEFAcomBerendS)
How different it might have been had José Izquierdo opened the scoring for Club Brugge early on. That missed chance, though, was quickly followed by Albrighton's breakthrough – the hosts, already low on confidence after a slow start domestically, were struggling thereafter. Testing times lie ahead for Michel Preud'homme, who needs to restore his team's mental resolve. Ranieri's men continue to dream.
