Super sub Vardy fires Foxes through

BRAGA 3 LEICESTER 3

JAMIE VARDY proved he is as deadly in Europe as in England by scoring the goal that took Leicester into the knockout stages of the Europa League with two games to spare. With Braga heading for a 3-2 victory that would have left the Foxes with work to do to qualify, Vardy stole in at the far post in injury time to equalise. Boss Brendan Rodgers had left Vardy, James Maddison and Youri Tielemans out of his starting XI with an eye on upcoming battles, but all three helped turn the momentum of the tie. When Maddison and Vardy came on after an hour, Braga led 2-1 thanks to goals from Al Musrati and

Paulinho, either side of Harvey Barnes’ strike. Maddison set up the second equaliser for Luke Thomas, who scored his first goal for Leicester, before Braga substitute Fransergio bagged what looked certain to be the winner in the 90th minute. Yet Maddison showed another superb piece of skill to set up Marc Albrighton, whose low cross was converted by Vardy. The 33-year-old now has 10 goals this season.

Rodgers said: ‘It is great to be qualified already. Our ambition is to finish top of the group but with so many games coming up we know we can manage the squad. ‘Braga were the better team in the first half, but in the second we were excellent and really dominated the game.’ Just four minutes were on the clock when Musrati’s low 20-yarder put the home side ahead, shortly before Barnes fired in at the near post. Paulinho finished off a fine move to restore Braga’s lead and Leicester needed heroics from Kasper Schmeichel to stay in touch. Thomas then steered in Maddison’s cross but