Riyad Mahrez-inspired Leicester make winning start at Brugge

Riyad Mahrez scored twice as Leicester City made a dream start to their Champions League campaign with a 3-0 drubbing of Club Brugge in Belgium.

Leicester went ahead after just five minutes when Marc Allbrighton scored the Foxes' first ever Champions League goal before a superb Mahrez free-kick made it two.

Brugge were perhaps fortunate to finish the first half with 11 men, with Bjorn Engels and Timmy Simons swerving red cards, but the referee's leniency failed to alter the match's complexion.

In the second half, Jamie Vardy was brought down by Jerome Butelle, allowing Mahrez to get his second from the spot.

Leicester have started their Champions League campaign as they did their Premier League season last year: full of attacking intent when necessary, but able to keep things sold with defensive discipline.

Victory in their next match, at home against Porto, and they will be confident of qualification to the knockouts.

Can Leicester use this to get their league campaign back on track? It is only Club Brugge, but it was a performance that recalled some of their best from last season. After riding their luck at the start, their counter-attacking and defensive organisation brought back memories of their best wins from last season. Incorporating their new signings, it might show a way forward when they come back to the Premier League.

Riyad Mahrez (Leicester City): Two goals from two set pieces hint, and perhaps support, the idea that he was on hand to finish moves more than to create them. But he also provided pace and passing on the flanks and both his goals came at crucial times.

Club Brugge: Butelle 6, Van Rhijn 6, Engels 4, Denswil 5, De Bock 4, Simons 4, Vormer 3, Pina 4, Vanaken 4, Diaby 4, Izquierdo 5. Subs: Poulain 5, Vossen 5, Gedoz 5.

Leicester: Schmeichel 6, Hernandez 7, Huth 6, Morgan 6, Fuchs 6, Mahrez 8, Drinkwater 6, Amartey 6, Albrighton 7, Slimani 6, Vardy 7. Subs: Musa 6, Gray 6, Ulloa 5.

5' - GOAL! Club Brugge 0-1 Leicester City. Slimani chases down a ball on the right and wins a throw for Leicester. It's lobbed into the penalty box by Hernandez, the keeper flaps at it, and Albrighton launches himself at the ball at the near post to put them ahead.

28' - SIMONS FOUL - Simons is lucky to be in on the pitch. A wild, late lunge on Vardy just as he was about to burst into the box. He's given a booking, but there was nobody to cover at all.

29' - GOAL! Brugge 0-2 Leicester City. A brilliant free kick. From the edge of the box, Mahrez lifts the ball over the wall and into the top corner, giving the keeper no chance.

34' - ENGELS FOUL - Engels clatters Vardy in midfield as he moves towards goal, and is given a yellow. Another fortunate decision for Brugge, really. Engels had his studs up and went high into Vardy.

60' - PENALTY! Vardy sprints down the middle of the pitch, with two defenders in pursuit. Butelle comes out, Vardy goes around him, and tumbles when he's caught by his leg.

61' - GOAL! Club Brugge 0-3 Leicester City. Mahrez takes a short run-up, waits for the 'keeper to move, and blasts it high and down the middle.

Leicester are the third English side to win on their CL debut after Manchester United in 1994 (4-2 against IFK Göteborg) and Newcastle United in 1997 (3-2 against FC Barcelona).

Only AC Milan on 25 November 1992 (4-0 against IFK Göteborg) and Atletico Madrid on 11 September 1996 (4-0 against Steaua Bucuresti) ever recorded bigger wins on their CL debut than Leicester City.