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CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Leicester better Brugge to top group

Leicester City have marked their first-ever Champions League campaign by remaining undefeated and finishing on top of their group.

Claudio Ranieri's Foxes, who were the surprise winners of the Premier League last term, continued their fairytale story by beating Club Brugge 2-1 at the King Power Stadium to make it four wins and a draw from their first five matches in Europe.

The result, after FC Copenhagen's 0-0 draw with FC Porto, assures that Leicester will finish on top of Group G regardless of what happens in Porto on December 7.

The opening goal came in just the fifth minute in true Leicester style on the counter with Marc Albrighton nicking the ball deep in defence before playing it up-field to Jamie Vardy who produced a wonderful touch for an advancing Christian Fuchs.

The Austrian left-back dashed forward and provided a bouncing cross for Shinij Okazaki who came up with a lovely left-footed finish past Ludovic Butelle.

On the half-hour mark, the Foxes were two to the good through Riyad Mahrez who expertly converted from 12 yards after Dion Cools had brought down Albrighton just inside the area.

Brugge pulled one back in the 52nd minute when Jose Izquierdo hit the target with an absolutely cracking strike from an angle which zipped between Ron-Robert Zieler's gloves and the top corner.

Remarkably, it was the first goal the Foxes have conceded in the Champions League in five outings and it has been their defensive efforts, for the most part, which have seen them through to the Round of 16 in Europe's premier club competition at their first attempt.


2016/17 UEFA Champions League - Group G

Leicester City (ENG): 2 (Shinji Okazaki 5', Riyad Mahrez (PEN) 30')
Club Brugge (BEL): 1 (Jose Izquierdo 52')
King Power Stadium, Leicester, England - 31,443

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Andrew Slevison
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