Mahrez gives Leicester flying ECL start
Leicester City enjoyed the easiest possible introduction to Champions League football as two Riyad Mahrez goals helped them to brush off Club Bruges 3-0 in their Group G encounter at the Jan Breydel stadium.
The win was Leicester's first in any European competition for 55 years, last season's surprise Premier League champions taking the lead when Marc Albrighton seized on a misplaced header from a long throw to score in the fifth minute.
The goal secured his position in the club's history as their first-ever scorer in the competition, and their first in Europe since 2000.
"It was some feeling, something I never thought I'd achieve," said Albrighton.
"There is no reason why we can't win this competition.
"People said we couldn't win the Premier League but just to be this far is fantastic."
The game was effectively settled as a contest on 29 minutes when Mahrez curled a superb free kick into the net after veteran defender Timmy Simons had hauled down Jamie Vardy on the edge of the area.
Leicester could have added a third before the interval when Danny Drinkwater rocked back on his heels and produced a stinging volley from outside the area.
The only sour note for Leicester was a booking for record signing Islam Slimani for a push on the back of Bjorn Engels, which led to the defender falling awkwardly and injuring his shoulder.
Mahrez completed the rout from the penalty spot on 61 minutes after Vardy gave the defence the slip and was upended by keeper Ludovic Butelle.
Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri could afford to substitute both strikers with 20 minutes remaining, a fantastic turnaround for the club following Saturday's 4-1 demolition by Liverpool.
"It was an important win after that Liverpool defeat," said Ranieri.
