SAN FRANCISCO, November 27, (THEWILL) – Goal-poacher Jamie Vardy scored a last-gasp goal in a dramatic Thursday finale as Leicester City clinched their place in the knockout stages of the UEFA Europa League in an enthralling 3-3 draw at the Estadio Municipal de Braga.
Greek side AEK Athens’ loss to Ukrainian club Zorya Luhansk in Group G’s other game, meant that the Foxes needed just a point to guarantee qualification to the last 16.
But Braga drew first blood. They took the lead inside four minutes when, after left midfielder Iuri Medeiros saw two efforts blocked, Al Musrati arrowed a thumping strike into the left-hand corner.
The visitors drew level five minutes after with their first meaningful attack. Winger Harvey Barnes took control of a clearance and lashed in from a tight angle.
In the 24th minute, Braga’s lead was restored. Ricardo Horta skipped past Kaspar Schmeichel in the Leicester goal before squaring for Paulinho to finish into an empty net.
Right winger Cengiz Under wasted a swift chance to get back on level terms in the 26th minute. That would have been costly for Leicester but for a fantastic double stop from Schmeichel to deny both Paulinho and Horta.
Brendan Rodgers made some substitutions and introduced Vardy after the hour to spark life into the Leicester attack and the pressure told. Substitute central attacking midfielder James Maddison drilled in a cross from which left midfielder Luke Thomas poked home.
With Zorya ahead in Athens, Leicester appeared to have done enough to go through. But, a counter-attack allowed Braga substitute midfielder Fransergio power a finish over Schmeichel to definitively put the Foxes’ progression on hold.
But Vardy was having none of that. He led a charge down the left flank and maintained his position just enough to latch onto Marc Albrighton’s pinpoint delivery and side-foot into a gaping goal at the very death of extra time and give Leicester the point they needed.
Leicester will next host struggling Fulham in the English Premiership on Monday, while Braga face Farense a day before in their next Primeira Liga outing.
