Vardy’s vital spark is just the job for Foxes

JAMIE VARDY scored the equaliser that took Leicester into the knockout stage with two games to spare. With Braga heading for a 3-2 win that would have left the Foxes with work to do to qualify, sub Vardy stole in at the far post in injury time to level. When James 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, before Braga sub Fransergio bagged what looked certain to be the winner in the 90th minute. Yet Maddison showed superb skill to set up Marc Albrighton, whose low cross was converted by Vardy.

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.’